Army officer assaulting SpiceJet employee at Srinagar airport faces FIR and no-fly list

New Delhi: The SpiceJet Airlines has levelled an allegation of “murderous assault” on a senior Army Officer. The incident took place last week at Srinagar Airport following an issue regarding excess baggage. The video of the incident shows a man, allegedly the Army officer, fiercely attacking the staffers with an object, resulting in a spinal fracture and jaw injury.

The SpiceJet spokesperson said, “Our staff members suffered a spinal fracture and serious jaw injuries after being attacked with punches, repeated kicks.”

He stated that one of the employees collapsed unconscious on the floor, but the passenger kept on kicking and hitting the unconscious employee. “One of the employees suffered bleeding from the nose and mouth after receiving a strong kick to the jaw while he was bending down to help his colleague, who had fainted.”

“The employees were instantly rushed to the hospital and are under treatment for the serious injuries that they sustained,” he said.

Talking about the passenger, he said that a senior Army Officer was carrying two pieces of cabin baggage weighing a total of 16 kg, which is more than twice the permitted limit, which is 7 kg. “When politely informed about the excess baggage, and was asked to pay the applicable charges, he refused and forcefully entered the aerobridge without completing the due boarding process, which is a clear violation of the security protocols. A CISF official escorted him back to the gate,” the spokesperson added.

“At the gate, the passenger turned increasingly aggressive and physically assaulted four members of the ground staff,” as per the airlines.

The airline has registered an FIR with the local police and has initiated the process to put the passenger on a no-fly list. It has also informed the Ministry of Civil Aviation about the “murderous assault” on its staff, requesting them to take appropriate action against him.