Senior Army Officer Accused of Brutal Assault on SpiceJet Staff at Srinagar Airport

August 3, 2025

Srinagar: A senior Indian Army officer has been accused of violently assaulting four SpiceJet employees at Srinagar Airport on July 26, 2025, following a dispute over excess cabin baggage while attempting to board flight SG-386 to Delhi.

The incident, described by the airline as a “murderous assault,” has sparked outrage and prompted legal action, with CCTV footage now in the hands of law enforcement.

According to SpiceJet, the officer was carrying two pieces of cabin luggage weighing a total of 16 kilograms, exceeding the airline’s 7-kilogram limit. When politely informed of the baggage policy and requested to pay the applicable charges, the officer allegedly refused.

Defying standard protocol, he bypassed boarding procedures and forcefully entered the aerobridge without clearance. A Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) official escorted him back to the gate, but the situation escalated dramatically.

The officer is accused of launching a brutal physical attack on the SpiceJet ground staff. Witnesses report that he punched and kicked multiple employees and used a queue stand as a weapon to strike them.

One employee collapsed unconscious after repeated blows but was allegedly kicked further while motionless. Another staff member, attempting to assist his unconscious colleague, was kicked in the jaw, resulting in severe bleeding from his nose and mouth.

The airline reported that one employee suffered a spinal fracture, while others sustained serious injuries, including facial trauma and internal injuries. All four victims were immediately rushed to a hospital for treatment.

The CISF, responsible for airport security, acted swiftly to control the situation, ensuring no disruption to flight operations. SpiceJet has filed a First Information Report (FIR) with local police against the officer, identified as a Lieutenant Colonel posted at the High Altitude Warfare School in Gulmarg.

The airline has also initiated the process to place the officer on the national no-fly list, in accordance with civil aviation regulations. Additionally, SpiceJet has formally written to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, urging swift action against the accused.

CCTV footage capturing the incident has been secured from airport authorities and handed over to the police to aid the investigation.

In an official statement, SpiceJet condemned the attack in the strongest terms, emphasizing its zero-tolerance policy toward violence against its staff.

“SpiceJet strongly condemns any act of violence against its employees and will pursue this matter to its fullest legal and regulatory conclusion,” the airline’s spokesperson stated, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring a safe and respectful working environment.

The incident has drawn widespread attention, with posts on X expressing shock and calling for accountability.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are expected to review the CCTV evidence to determine the full extent of the officer’s actions and the circumstances leading to the assault.