KOCHI: An unclaimed pistol was found abandoned inside the flush tank of a toilet at the Nedumbassery airport on Saturday, creating panic among the public.
Airport officials later confirmed that it was an air pistol - not a lethal gun as conceived by the authorities initially.
According to the officials, the Bengaluru-made gun was first spotted by the housekeeping staff at the airport, while cleaning the toilet outside the international arrival hall.
On being alerted, the police rushed to the spot and took possession of the gun.
The officials suspect that the owner of the gun abandoned it considering the risk involved in carrying it, most probably before entering the terminal where passengers are frisked.
The air pistol can be used without licence. A case has been registered under Section-102 of the CrPC, and a investigation has been launched to trace the owner of the gun.