Army officer booked for assaulting SpiceJet employees at Srinagar Airport: Police
Srinagar, Aug 3: A senior Indian Army officer of High Altitude Warfare School Gulmarg has been booked for a physical assault on four SpiceJet employees at the Srinagar Airport, following a dispute over excess cabin baggage. However, the Army has registered counter FIR against the three employees of Spice Jet.
The incident took place on July 26 during the boarding process for flight SG-386 from Srinagar to Delhi. It left two airline staff members grievously injured and sparked outrage over aviation security and passenger conduct. The video of incident went viral on Sunday.
“An FIR has been registered against the officer of HAWS Gulmarg in Police Station Budgam for brutal assault on Spice Jet employees,” Police said. “Counter FIR by Army has also been registered and investigations taken up.”
According to a statement released by SpiceJet, the altercation began when the officer was informed that his cabin baggage, totaling 16 kilograms, exceeded the permitted allowance of 7 kilograms. Airline staff reportedly requested that he pay the applicable excess baggage charges. However, the passenger allegedly refused to comply and attempted to bypass the boarding procedures by forcefully entering the aerobridge without completing mandatory checks.
A Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) official intervened and escorted the officer back to the boarding gate. It was at this point that the situation escalated dramatically.
SpiceJet claims that the officer suddenly turned violent, launching a vicious attack on ground personnel. The statement details that four employees were assaulted using punches, kicks, and even a queue stand as a weapon. One staff member suffered a spinal fracture and another sustained severe facial injuries, including bleeding from the nose and mouth. A third employee collapsed after repeated blows and was allegedly kicked while unconscious. A fourth staff member, attempting to help an injured colleague, was also attacked and seriously hurt.
“All four injured staff were rushed to a hospital, where they are receiving treatment for what doctors have classified as grievous injuries,” the airline said. “This was not just an act of aggression—it was a murderous assault that endangered lives.”
SpiceJet has filed a First Information Report (FIR) with the local police and submitted CCTV footage of the attack to authorities. The airline has also initiated the process to place the officer on India’s “no-fly” list, in accordance with civil aviation security protocols.
In a formal complaint to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, SpiceJet has sought strong punitive action against the passenger, citing the incident as a serious breach of both aviation norms and employee safety. “SpiceJet strongly condemns any act of violence against its employees and will pursue this matter to its fullest legal and regulatory conclusion,” the airline stated.
“The matter involving an alleged altercation between an Army personnel and airline staff at Srinagar Airport on 26 July has come to the notice of the Indian Army,” Army said. “The Indian Army is committed to upholding the highest standards of discipline and conduct, and takes all allegations seriously. Full cooperation is being extended to the authorities in investigating the case.”
