A SpiceJet employee on Monday explained how he was allegedly assaulted by a senior Army officer at the Srinagar airport on July 26.
SpiceJet’s Mudasir Ahmad was one of four employees allegedly assaulted by the officer after 'the latter was told to pay an extra cabin baggage charge. The officer, whose identity is not yet known, was scheduled to board SG-386 from Srinagar to Delhi.
Ahmad, who suffered a spinal fracture, stated that he stopped the Army officer as the latter had been carrying two bags totalling 16kg. However, the employee reasoned, only 7kg is allowed without the payment of an extra baggage fee.
VIDEO | Srinagar: SpiceJet ground staff Mudasir Ahmed Khan, who was assaulted by an army officer at Srinagar Airport on July 26, says,
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 4, 2025
"I was there at the boarding gate. So, I was helping with boarding and we have a 7 kg limit to hand baggage. One passenger had 16 kgs of… pic.twitter.com/U17ZKMZYQY
"“I told him that he would have to pay for extra baggage. He started shouting again…I called up my Duty Manager and asked him to come. The Manager too explained to him," Ahmad told PTI.
However, things turned significantly worse, as the Army officer pushed the CISF staff aside in a bid to try entering the boarding gate. However, he was held back, and told to pay the excess charge.
At this, Ahmed alleged that the officer took out "a few things from his bag and threw it at a member of the staff who was in front of him".
SpiceJet says “murderous assault” on its staff in Srinagar by a senior Army Officer caused spinal injuries and a jaw fracture. Airlines says will pursue matter to the fullest extent legally. Incident over excess baggage on July 26. Full statement in next tweet. pic.twitter.com/08IcykeQuo
— Jagriti Chandra (@jagritichandra) August 3, 2025
"He hit me on my face with the rest of the baggage. He slapped me and started hitting me. He used his fist and feet to hit me … At the end, he punched me and I fell down," Ahmad recounted.
Two counter-FIRs have been registered in the case. The airline has also initiated a process to place the Army officer on the no-fly list, in accordance with civil aviation regulations.
In a statement issued on Saturday following mounting public scrutiny, the Indian Army said: “The matter involving an alleged altercation between an Army personnel and airline staff at Srinagar Airport on 26 July 2025 has come to the notice of the Indian Army. The Indian Army is committed to uphold the highest standards of discipline and conduct and takes all allegations seriously. Full cooperation is being extended to the authorities in investigating the case.”
"(The Indian Army is) fully committed to maintaining discipline and mutual respect in all civil spaces across the country," the statement added.
