New Delhi: SpiceJet on Sunday said a senior Army officer, who was to board a flight to Delhi, assaulted four airline ground staffers at the Srinagar airport on July 26, causing a spinal fracture to one of them.
An FIR has been registered with the local police and the airline has initiated the process to place the passenger on the no-fly list in accordance with civil aviation regulations, the airline said and added that the assault happened after the passenger was told to pay for the extra cabin baggage.
Video clips of the incident shared on social media showed the passenger assaulting the staff and one of them being hit with a queue stand at the airport.
The injured were taken to the hospital and are undergoing treatment.
“A passenger grievously assaulted four SpiceJet employees at the boarding gate of flight SG-386 from Srinagar to Delhi on July 26, 2025. Our staff members suffered a spinal fracture and serious jaw injuries after being attacked with punches, repeated kicks and a queue stand,” SpiceJet said in a statement.
According to the airline, one employee collapsed unconscious on the floor but the passenger continued kicking and hitting the fainted employee.
“Another staff member suffered bleeding from the nose and mouth after receiving a forceful kick to the jaw while bending down to assist the colleague who had fainted,” it added.
SpiceJet said the passenger, a senior Army officer, was carrying two pieces of cabin baggage weighing a total of 16 kg, more than double the permitted limit of 7 kg.
“When politely informed of the excess baggage and asked to pay the applicable charges, the passenger refused and forcefully entered the aerobridge without completing the boarding process – a clear violation of aviation security protocols. He was escorted back to the gate by a CISF official,” the statement said.
At the gate, the airline said the passenger grew increasingly aggressive.
It could not be immediately ascertained whether the passenger (whose name and rank were not disclosed) was detained at the airport after the incident.
An FIR has been registered with the local police, and the airline has initiated the process to place the passenger on the no-fly list in accordance with civil aviation regulations, the statement said.
SpiceJet has also written to the Civil Aviation Ministry, “apprising them about the murderous assault on its staff and has requested appropriate action against the passenger”.
The airline also said that it has secured the CCTV footage of the incident from the airport authorities and handed it over to the police.
Strongly condemning any act of violence against its employees, SpiceJet said it will pursue this matter to its fullest legal and regulatory conclusion.
Meanwhile, IndiGo, on Saturday, announced imposing a flying ban on the passenger who slapped a co-traveller onboard the Mumbai-Kolkata flight on Friday.
The incident occurred in flight 6E138 and after landing, the perpetrator was handed over to the security authorities at the Kolkata airport. The perpetrator was also declared as unruly, a source had said on Friday. (PTI)
NC, PDP demand action against Army officer for attacking SpiceJet employees
Ruling National Conference and opposition Peoples Democratic Party on Sunday condemned the assault on employees of a private airline by an Army officer at Srinagar International Airport last week, saying the officer must be held accountable.
“This is gundagardi!! This incident took place at Srinagar Airport, where an Army officer was seen brutally assaulting SpiceJet staff member(s), leaving him with serious injuries. It is highly condemnable & shameful. The officer must be held accountable,” National Conference spokesperson Sarah Hayat Shah said in a post on X.
PDP leader Iltija Mufti also demanded action against the officer.
“How dare this Army officer launch a murderous assault on employees at Srinagar airport simply for refusing excess cabin luggage? His demonic rage left one of the victims with a spinal fracture. @ChinarcorpsIA <<https://x.com/ChinarcorpsIA>> @adgpi <<https://x.com/adgpi>> Please take immediate action to set an example,” she said in a post on X.
Army pledges cooperation in probe
The Indian Army on Sunday assured full cooperation in the investigation into an alleged altercation between an Army officer and airline staff at Srinagar Airport on July 26.
“The matter involving an alleged altercation between an Army personnel and airline staff at Srinagar Airport on 26 July 2025 has come to the notice of the Indian Army. The Indian Army is committed to uphold highest standards of discipline and conduct and takes all allegations seriously. Full cooperation is being extended to the authorities in investigating the case,” PRO (Defence) Srinagar said.
