Live Cartridge Found in Passenger’s Bag at Varanasi Airport, CISF Foils Security Breach

A live cartridge was recovered from a passenger’s bag during routine security screening at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi, causing a brief security alert. The passenger, identified as Wasim Akram, a resident of Rohtas district in Bihar, was scheduled to travel to Delhi by an Air India Express flight and later board a connecting flight to Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

CISF personnel noticed a suspicious object in the bag during scanner checks and found the live cartridge on manual inspection. The passenger could not provide any valid licence or explanation for carrying the ammunition. He was immediately stopped from flying and detained for questioning.

Airport authorities informed local police, intelligence agencies, and the LIU. Wasim Akram was later handed over to Babatpur police, who are investigating whether the cartridge belonged to a licensed weapon or if there was any criminal intent. The passenger remains in police custody, and the inquiry is ongoing.