Image Source: Agencies

Aug 4, 2025: Mudasir Ahmad, a SpiceJet employee who was assaulted by an Army officer at the Srinagar airport, recalled the violent incident on Monday and claimed that the Army officer hit him in the face with baggage after asking him to pay for additional cabin luggage. Ahmad stated, "He hit me on my face with his baggage" when describing the assault. He hit me with his feet and fists after slapping me. At the end, he punched me and I fell down.”
The assault resulted in a spinal fracture for the SpiceJet employee. He stated that the passenger's hand luggage weighed 16 kilograms and contained two bags, whereas the maximum allowed weight is 7. When he was stopped, the officer began yelling at him. He possessed two bags. I stopped him for checking. He started yelling as soon as I asked him to move to the side. I informed him that his hand luggage weighed 16 kilograms and that he was carrying two bags when the limit is one, weighing 7 kilograms. He would be responsible for paying for the excess, I informed him. Ahmad recalled, "He refused, became aggressive, and started shouting again." Further, the Army officer even pushed the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) staff at the airport and entered the boarding gate.
“I called up my duty manager and asked him to come. The manager also explained to him. He (the passenger) pushed the CISF staff and entered the boarding gate, which is not allowed. He said, "He was brought back by CISF, and once more he was told to pay." Ahmad added, "The officer reportedly pulled out a few items from his bag and threw them at a member of the staff at the boarding gate." The Army officer is accused of assaulting four SpiceJet ground staff members at the Srinagar airport on July 26. The Indian Army said in a statement on Sunday that it is fully cooperating with the investigation into the case. The Army stated that it is aware of the incident and emphasized its dedication to maintaining strict discipline standards. Additionally, it promised complete cooperation with authorities conducting the investigation. "The matter involving an alleged altercation between an Army personnel and airline staff at Srinagar airport on July 26 has come to the notice of the Indian Army," reads the official statement from the Indian Army. The Indian Army is committed to upholding the highest standards of discipline and conduct and takes all allegations seriously. The authorities are receiving our complete cooperation in their investigation.