Army Officer Brutally Assaults SpiceJet Staff Over Excess Baggage Dispute At Srinagar Airport

A senior Army officer allegedly assaulted four SpiceJet ground staff members at the boarding gate of flight SG-359 from Srinagar to Delhi on Saturday, July 26, after being asked to pay for carrying excess baggage.

The incident came to public attention on Sunday morning when journalist Tarun Shukla posted a disturbing video on X (formerly Twitter). In the footage, a man wearing a red T-shirt can be seen violently attacking a SpiceJet employee using a queue stand. Shortly after, Shukla also shared the airline's official statement confirming the incident and detailing the extent of the injuries.

According to the statement from SpiceJet, the assaulted staff members suffered serious injuries, including a spinal fracture and severe jaw trauma, after being punched, kicked repeatedly, and struck with the queue stand. Shockingly, the officer continued the assault even after one of the employees lost consciousness and collapsed on the floor.

The violent altercation reportedly began when the officer was found to be carrying baggage weighing more than twice the permissible limit. Upon being asked to pay the excess baggage fee, he refused and attempted to forcibly enter the aerobridge. A CISF official escorted him back to the gate, where the situation escalated further.

"At the gate, the passenger became increasingly aggressive and physically attacked four SpiceJet ground personnel," the airline said.

SpiceJet confirmed that an FIR has been lodged, and the airline has initiated procedures to place the individual on the no-fly list. The matter has also been escalated to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, with the airline describing the incident as a "murderous assault" and requesting urgent action against the accused passenger.

Authorities have not yet released further information regarding the identity of the Army officer or whether disciplinary measures are being pursued by the armed forces.