Srinagar airport ruckus: Army officer assaults SpiceJet staff over baggage fee; Army says 'committed to discipline, cooperating with probe'

NEW DELHI: An Army official allegedly “grievously assaulted” four SpiceJet employees at Srinagar Airport on July 26, 2025, after they asked him to pay for excess cabin baggage he was carrying on a flight (SG 386) to Delhi. The airline says its staff members “suffered a spinal fracture and serious jaw injuries after being attacked with punches, repeated kicks and a queue stand.”

The passenger, an 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. At the gate, the passenger grew increasingly aggressive and physically assaulted four members of the SpiceJet ground staff,” a SpiceJet spokesperson said.

"One SpiceJet 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. The injured employees were rushed to hospital and remain under treatment for the grievous injuries sustained,” he added.

PRO (Defence), Srinagar, said in a statement: "The matter involving an alleged altercation between an Army personnel and airline staff at Srinagar Airport on July 26, 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."

SpiceJet has registered an FIR with the local police, and the airline says it has initiated the process to put the passenger on the no-fly list. “SpiceJet has written to the aviation ministry, appraising them about the murderous assault on its staff and has requested appropriate action against the passenger. The airline has secured the CCTV footage of the incident from the airport authorities and handed it over to the police,” the airline spokesperson added.

“CISF personnel intervened promptly, managed the situation & ensured no disruption to Flight operations. Further, necessary action was taken,” CISF said on X.

The airline says it “strongly condemns any act of violence against its employees and will pursue this matter to its fullest legal and regulatory conclusion.”