Varanasi on High Alert After Cartridge Found at Airport

Varanasi has been placed on high alert after a cartridge was recovered from a passenger during routine security screening at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, just days before Republic Day.

The incident has heightened concerns as security agencies across the country remain on maximum vigilance in view of January 26.

According to officials, the passenger, identified as Wasim Akram, a resident of Akbarpur in Bihar, was scheduled to travel from Varanasi to Delhi on an Air India Express flight and onward to Dammam, Saudi Arabia. After the boarding pass was issued, CISF personnel detected a cartridge in his baggage during security screening. The passenger was immediately stopped from travelling and taken for questioning.

Following preliminary inquiry, the matter was handed over to the local police. Multiple agencies, including the police, Intelligence Bureau, LIU and other intelligence units, are now jointly investigating how the cartridge came into the passenger’s possession. Authorities have stated that all angles are being examined, and the investigation is ongoing to rule out any security lapse or larger threat.