Accidental PAC gun discharge near Kashi Vishwanath Temple injures 3
Synopsis
A PAC jawan's carbine slipped and discharged two rounds outside Kashi Vishwanath Temple's Gate No. 4B on 4 July, sending shrapnel into three flower-garland vendors. The incident at one of India's most visited temples spotlights weapon-handling standards among deployed security personnel.
Key Takeaways
A PAC jawan's carbine accidentally discharged two rounds outside Gate No.
4B of Kashi Vishwanath Temple , Varanasi , on 4 July .
Three flower-garland vendors — Nikki Gupta , Ram Babu , and Vikas Yadav — were injured by shrapnel.
Injuries were to the hand, waist, and leg respectively; DCP Gaurav Banswal confirmed none were serious.
Both rounds hit the ground; shrapnel from the impact struck the vendors.
All three injured were hospitalised and their conditions are reported as stable.
Three flower-garland vendors were injured by shrapnel on Saturday, 4 July after a Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) jawan's carbine accidentally discharged outside Gate No. 4B of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. According to officials, two rounds were fired when the weapon slipped from the jawan's hands, with both shots striking the ground and sending shrapnel into the crowd nearby.
What Happened
Deputy Commissioner of Police Gaurav Banswal confirmed that the carbine slipped from the PAC jawan's grip, triggering the accidental discharge of two rounds. 'Both shots hit the ground, but shrapnel struck three flower-garland vendors present at the spot. One person was hit in the hand, another in the waist, and the third in the leg,' he said.
The injured have been identified as Nikki Gupta, Ram Babu, and Vikas Yadav. All three were promptly taken to hospital by police and temple administration personnel. DCP Banswal confirmed that none of the three sustained serious injuries and that their conditions are stable.
Eyewitness Accounts
Injured vendor Vikas Yadav recounted that the PAC jawan was standing with his carbine held behind him when it discharged. 'I was hit by shrapnel in my hand and waist. A total of three people were injured,' he said. He also noted that after the incident, police personnel collected and removed the shrapnel from the scene.
Ram Babu, another of the injured, said the shot went off suddenly. He sustained shrapnel injuries to his leg and hand. Both accounts are consistent with the official version that the discharge was accidental.
Immediate Response
Panic spread briefly among visitors and vendors near the temple entrance following the shots. Police, however, quickly brought the situation under control. The PAC jawan was taken away by other police personnel shortly after the incident. The temple's security perimeter remained intact, and no disruption to worship was reported.
Context and Significance
The Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi is one of the most heavily visited religious sites in India, drawing thousands of pilgrims daily. Security deployments around the temple are substantial, particularly following the inauguration of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in 2021. Accidental discharges by security personnel at high-footfall public spaces raise questions about weapon-handling protocols and periodic safety drills. An inquiry into the incident is expected, though no formal announcement had been made at the time of reporting.
Point of View
Not bystanders caught in a confrontation, underscores the random nature of the risk. Uttar Pradesh Police should clarify whether a formal inquiry has been ordered and what the standard operating procedure is for armed personnel at high-density religious sites — answers the public deserves beyond a 'condition stable' reassurance.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the accidental firing near Kashi Vishwanath Temple?
The carbine of a PAC jawan on duty slipped from his hands outside Gate No. 4B of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, causing two rounds to discharge accidentally on 4 July. Both shots hit the ground, and the resulting shrapnel struck three nearby vendors.
Who were the people injured in the Varanasi temple firing incident?
The three injured individuals are Nikki Gupta, Ram Babu, and Vikas Yadav, all of whom were flower-garland vendors stationed near the temple entrance. They sustained shrapnel injuries to the hand, waist, and leg respectively.
How serious are the injuries of the three vendors?
DCP Gaurav Banswal confirmed that none of the three sustained serious injuries. All three were admitted to hospital and their conditions are reported as stable.
What action was taken after the accidental discharge?
Police quickly brought the situation under control, and the PAC jawan was taken away by other personnel. The injured vendors were rushed to hospital by police and temple administration staff. Police also collected and removed shrapnel from the scene.
Is the Kashi Vishwanath Temple safe after the incident?
According to officials, the situation was brought under control shortly after the incident and no disruption to temple activities was reported. The security perimeter remained intact, though questions about weapon-handling protocols among deployed personnel have been raised.
