Army officer assaults SpiceJet employees at Srinagar airport; four injured, CCTV footage handed over to police

In a shocking incident, an Army officer has been accused of grievously assaulting four SpiceJet employees, injuring their spines and jaws, at the boarding gate of flight SG-386, which was scheduled to depart from Srinagar airport for Delhi, a SpiceJet spokesperson said on Sunday.

The incident occurred on 26 July when the airline crew asked the passenger to pay for the excess baggage he was carrying, the spokesperson said.

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The passenger, identified as a senior Army officer, was reportedly carrying two pieces of cabin baggage totalling 16 kg—more than double the permissible cabin limit of 7 kg. When politely informed of the excess and asked to pay the applicable fee, he refused and forcibly entered the aerobridge without completing the boarding process, thereby violating aviation security protocols. A CISF official escorted him back to the gate, where the situation escalated, the spokesperson said.

According to the SpiceJet spokesperson, the passenger launched a violent attack on the ground staff, using punches, repeated kicks, and even a queue stand, leaving them with serious injuries, including a spinal fracture and severe facial trauma.

“One employee collapsed and lost consciousness during the assault, yet the passenger continued to kick and strike him. Another staff member, who attempted to assist his unconscious colleague, suffered heavy bleeding from the nose and mouth after a brutal kick to the jaw,” the spokesperson stated.

The injured employees were immediately taken to a hospital, where they continue to receive treatment for multiple grievous injuries.

The airline has lodged an FIR with local police and initiated the procedure to place the passenger on the national no-fly list under existing civil aviation regulations. SpiceJet has also formally apprised the Ministry of Civil Aviation of the “murderous assault” and requested strict action against the accused, the spokesperson said.

The airport’s CCTV footage of the incident has been handed over to the authorities to assist with the investigation.

“SpiceJet strongly condemns any act of violence against its employees and remains committed to pursuing this case through every available legal and regulatory channel,” the airline said in a statement.