In a deeply shocking and violent episode at Srinagar Airport on July 26, 2025, a senior Army official has been accused of grievously assaulting four ground staff members of SpiceJet after he was asked to pay for carrying excess cabin luggage on flight SG 386 bound for Delhi.

According to SpiceJet, the situation quickly turned violent when their employees followed standard airline protocol regarding hand baggage rules. The airline stated that its staff faced brutal physical assault, with multiple employees sustaining severe injuries. “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,” said the SpiceJet spokesperson.

The official reportedly punched, kicked repeatedly, and even used a queue stand as a weapon, resulting in spinal injuries to one employee and serious jaw damage to another. “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.’”

In response, SpiceJet has filed an FIR with the local police and has formally initiated steps to place the passenger on India’s no-fly list. The airline confirmed that “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,” according to the statement.

The incident reportedly escalated when the Army officer, who was carrying two cabin bags weighing a total of 16 kilograms—more than double the permitted 7-kilogram limit—was “politely informed” about the excess baggage and asked to pay the required fee. The spokesperson detailed that “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.”

The CISF (Central Industrial Security Force), responsible for airport security, also issued a statement on the platform X (formerly Twitter), confirming their timely response to the altercation. “CISF personnel intervened promptly, managed the situation & ensured no disruption to Flight operations. Further, necessary action was taken,” read the post.

Meanwhile, SpiceJet has strongly condemned the attack, reiterating its commitment to ensuring the safety and dignity of its employees. “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.”

The violent nature of the assault, especially from a serving senior official of the Indian Army, has sparked outrage, raising serious questions about passenger conduct and airport security enforcement. As per verified media sources including The Hindu and NDTV, the matter is under police investigation and has been brought to the attention of higher aviation authorities.

Further developments are awaited as legal procedures and internal reviews continue.