A cab driver working at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) was arrested late on November 16 after he allegedly attempted to attack two men with a sickle near the Arrival Lane of Terminal 1. Police identified the accused as Sohail Ahmed, aged in his 40s, who has been employed as a cab driver at the airport for several years. The incident created a brief commotion in the area but was swiftly brought under control by airport security personnel
Dispute earlier in the day triggered the late-night retaliation
According to the police investigation, the sequence of events began much earlier on November 16. At around 1.30 am, Ahmed was allegedly assaulted by three taxi drivers — Jagdish JR, Renu Kumar and Gangadhar Angadi — over a personal dispute. Police sources said that the altercation appeared to be linked to an ongoing disagreement related to airport taxi operations, though the exact trigger is still under investigation.
Ahmed reportedly suffered minor injuries but did not immediately approach the police or seek medical care. Instead, he is believed to have returned to work later the same day, continuing his routine without raising a complaint.
Accused returned with a sickle hours later
However, at around 11.59 pm the same night, almost 23 hours after the first altercation, Ahmed allegedly returned near the Arrival Lane of Terminal 1 carrying a sickle. Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators reportedly shows him approaching the area where the other taxi drivers were stationed.
Police believe Ahmed intended to retaliate against the men who had assaulted him. Eyewitnesses said they saw him moving towards the spot in an aggressive manner, gripping the sickle in his hand. The attempt to attack Jagdish JR and Renu Kumar was thwarted almost immediately when beat police personnel from the airport station, along with CISF officers on duty, intervened.
The officers managed to overpower Ahmed before he could cause any injuries. His sickle was seized on the spot, and he was escorted away from the busy terminal area.
Swift response by CISF and airport police
Airport officials praised the coordinated and timely response of the CISF and Bengaluru airport police. The Arrival Lane at Terminal 1 usually witnesses significant footfall even during late hours, with passenger pickups, cab queues and staff movements.
The quick action ensured that the situation did not escalate and prevented any harm to passengers or staff present at the time. Security protocols were triggered immediately, and the area was secured within minutes.
FIR registered; probe underway
Ahmed was taken to the airport police station shortly after being apprehended. A First Information Report (FIR) was registered against him for attempting to assault the taxi drivers with a deadly weapon. The police are now examining the earlier assault allegation as well.
A police officer told Deccan Herald that a detailed probe is underway to determine the nature of the dispute between the cab drivers, the sequence of events leading up to the attempted attack, and whether there were any previous issues between the groups involved.
Investigators are also verifying claims that Ahmed had been under stress following the early-morning assault and may have acted impulsively. Police emphasised that regardless of provocation, carrying a weapon into a high-security zone such as an international airport is a serious offence.
Airport security reviewing protocols
The incident has prompted KIA authorities and the CISF to review internal monitoring mechanisms around staff entry points and cab holding areas. Although the swift response prevented any injuries, officials are assessing whether additional surveillance or screening measures are required to ensure no weapons are brought into airport premises.
Taxi unions operating at the airport are also expected to hold internal discussions to prevent such disputes from escalating. Sources said disagreements among cab drivers, often over queue systems or fare-related issues, have previously led to confrontations, though rarely to this extent.
Conclusion
The late-night incident at Kempegowda International Airport has highlighted the need for stronger conflict-resolution mechanisms among airport taxi operators, as well as continued vigilance in maintaining security at one of the country’s busiest aviation hubs. With the FIR registered and the investigation ongoing, police are now working to establish a full account of what led to the violent retaliation attempt and whether further action is required against any of the parties involved.