Army Officer Accused of Brutally Assaulting SpiceJet Staff at Srinagar Airport Over Baggage Dispute

Srinagar – August 4, 2025 — A SpiceJet ground staff member has come forward with a detailed account of a violent incident at Srinagar airport, where he and three colleagues were allegedly assaulted by a senior Army officer over an excess baggage dispute.

Mudasir Ahmad, a SpiceJet employee, suffered a spinal fracture during the altercation that occurred on July 26, when the officer, scheduled to fly to Delhi on flight SG-386, was asked to pay for extra cabin baggage. According to Ahmad, the passenger was carrying two hand baggage items totaling 16 kg, while the airline allows only one piece weighing up to 7 kg.

"I politely informed him about the excess weight and asked him to pay for the extra baggage," Ahmad recalled. "He became agitated and started shouting. I called my Duty Manager, who also tried to explain the policy. But the officer pushed past the CISF personnel and forcibly entered the boarding gate area, which is a security breach."

Ahmad said the situation escalated further at the boarding gate. “He took items out of his bag and threw them at a staff member. Then he struck me with the bag, slapped me, and began beating me with his fists and feet. Eventually, he punched me so hard I fell to the ground.”

Video clips circulating on social media corroborate Ahmad’s account, showing the passenger physically attacking staff members and using a queue stand as a weapon.

In a formal statement, SpiceJet confirmed that four of its staff were seriously injured in the assault. One employee lost consciousness after being struck repeatedly and continued to be kicked even after collapsing. Another suffered severe jaw injuries, including bleeding from the nose and mouth, after being kicked while helping a colleague who had fainted.

“This was a grievous and unprovoked attack on our employees,” the airline said. “SpiceJet strongly condemns any form of violence against its staff and will pursue this matter to the fullest extent permitted under law.”

The airline has also initiated procedures to place the accused passenger on the no-fly list, as per civil aviation norms. Additionally, CCTV footage of the incident has been obtained and submitted to the police.

Law enforcement has registered two counter FIRs in the matter, and an investigation is underway. SpiceJet has written to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, urging swift and appropriate action in response to what it described as a “murderous assault.”

This incident has reignited concerns around staff safety at Indian airports and the enforcement of passenger conduct regulations, with aviation stakeholders calling for stricter deterrents against violence towards airline personnel.