Indian shooters detained at Delhi's IGI airport for over 12 hours; Abhinav Bindra slams officials, national federation

New Delhi: In a shocking incident, several Indian shooters were left stranded at the Indira Gandhi International airport for over 12 hours on Tuesday.

Olympic shooters Gurpreet Singh and Kynan Chenai, along with numerous other shooters, landed in the national capital after participating in the Plzen Shooting Grand Prix (in Czech Republic) and shotgun World Cup in Cyprus, respectively.

But much to their surprise, they were made to wait for several hours as the customs department did not clear their weapons.

"We landed at 4am after a 20-hour flight and the department didn't clear our weapons, saying we would have to wait for the customs commissioner. He was supposed to arrive at 10am but didn't and we didn't get any clarity from other officials," a shooter, who didn't wish to be named, told The Times of India.

#UPDATE Weapons of 13 members of National Shooting Team which were seized by Customs at Delhi's IGI Airport, have been returned to them.

— ANI (@ANI_news) May 9, 2017

The TOI report added that sources in customs denied that the shooters were detained, but said the weapons had to be cleared. They added that extra caution was being taken after a few national shooters were recently arrested for smuggling illegal pistols.

Abhinav Bindra, India's only Olympic gold medallist in the individual category, slammed the airport officials for the incident.

"Saddened to hear that the National Shooting Team is detained at The IGI Airport with the customs refusing to clear their guns. 1/3."

Saddened to hear that the National Shooting Team is detained at The IGI Airport with the customs refusing to clear their guns. 1/3

— Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) May 9, 2017

They are our countries ambassadors and should not be treated like this. Would this ever happen to our cricket team ? 2/3

They are our countries ambassadors and should not be treated like this. Would this ever happen to our cricket team ? 2/3

— Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) May 9, 2017

Bindra also slammed the national federation for extending no support to the shooters.

"Chatted with a few athletes and the lack of support coming through from the national federation is pathetic. @RaninderSingh @TheNrai."

Chatted with a few athletes and the lack of support coming through from the national federation is pathetic. @RaninderSingh @TheNrai

— Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) May 9, 2017

The official team manager of the shotgun team left this morning leaving the athletes to fend for them selves.

The official team manager of the shotgun team left this morning leaving the athletes to fend for them selves.

— Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) May 9, 2017

As a result of the delay, several shooters missed their connecting flights to different cities.

"We have a World Cup in Munich, which will start from May 17. Every day counts for us now. Today's day has been wasted and this is going to hurt our preparation," the shooter said.