Accidental fire from cop's gun injures 3 near Varanasi's Kashi Vishwanath temple

A bullet fired accidentally from a Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) jawan's service carbine injured three flower vendors near Gate No. 4B of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi on Saturday, triggering panic in the busy temple area.

The incident occurred near Gate No. 4B, close to Nandu Fariya, where devotees and local traders were present. According to preliminary information, the firearm discharged after the sling of a PAC jawan's service carbine reportedly snapped, causing the weapon to fall to the ground.

The injured have been identified as local flower vendors Nikhil Gupta, Ram Babu and Vikas Yadav, all of whom were present near the temple gate when the accidental firing took place.

Sources said the weapon belonged to PAC Diwan Amarnath Chauhan of the 48th Battalion. The carbine was reportedly slung across his back when its belt came loose. As the weapon fell to the ground, it accidentally discharged, with the bullet and shrapnel striking the three shopkeepers.

One of the injured sustained a wound to his finger, another suffered injuries to the waist, while the third was hit in the leg by shrapnel. The extent of their injuries was not immediately known, though initial reports suggested they were conscious when shifted for treatment.

The injured were rushed to the Mandaliya Hospital at Kabir Chaura for medical attention. Senior administrative and police officials reached both the hospital and the spot to monitor the situation and assess the circumstances surrounding the incident. All of them are presently in stable condition and will be discharged soon.

The accidental firing sparked panic among devotees and traders in the vicinity of the temple, one of the country's most visited pilgrimage sites. Security personnel quickly secured the area to prevent any further disturbance.

Authorities are expected to conduct an enquiry into the incident to determine how the weapon discharged and whether standard operating procedures for handling service firearms were followed. Further details are awaited.

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