A stray discharge from a Personal Assault Carbine (PAC) at the Nanu Feria gate of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi injured three local florists on Saturday, prompting a brief panic among visitors before security forces restored order.
According to police reports, the firearm, being carried by an unidentified individual, unintentionally fell to the ground, causing two rounds to fire onto the road. The bullets struck the pavement, sending concrete fragments into the air and striking the victims—identified as Nikky Gupta, Ram Babu and Vikas Yadav—who were standing nearby arranging flower garlands.
Medical teams on site administered first aid, and all three men were subsequently taken to a nearby hospital. Hospital officials confirmed that the injuries were minor; each patient was discharged after receiving treatment and is expected to make a full recovery.
Local authorities quickly cordoned off the area and began an investigation into how the weapon entered the temple precincts. Preliminary statements from the Varanasi police suggest the carbine was not part of any official security detail and that the incident appears to be an isolated accident. No arrests have been reported, and officials have not identified the gun owner.
The incident caused a momentary surge of fear among pilgrims and tourists, many of whom were gathered for morning prayers. Temple staff worked to calm the crowd, and regular worship activities resumed within an hour of the event.
Analysis: While the immediate physical harm was limited, the episode raises questions about firearm security in high‑traffic religious sites. India’s Arms Act regulates civilian possession of short‑range weapons, but enforcement in crowded public spaces can be challenging. The presence of a PAC—a weapon typically used by security personnel—outside an official context suggests a lapse in oversight. Authorities may face pressure to tighten checks on weapons carried into sacred precincts, especially given the potential for panic and disruption among large numbers of worshippers. Further details from the ongoing police inquiry will be needed to determine liability and any systemic failures that allowed the firearm to be present at the temple gate.
Sources
– “3 injured as accidental PAC carbine firing triggers panic at UP’s Kashi Vishwanath Dham.” Times of India, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/3-injured-as-accidental-pac-carbine-firing-triggers-panic-at-ups-kashi-vishwanath-dham/articleshow/132174280.cms.
Story synopsis gathered from: Times of India – Top Stories — source
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