‘I was mistreated, missed my flight’: Army officer files FIR against SpiceJet; airline to put him on ‘no-fly’ list | Srinagar News

SRINAGAR/NEW DELHI: An Army officer posted in north Kashmir has been booked for allegedly assaulting four SpiceJet employees at Srinagar airport on July 26 after being asked to pay for carrying excess cabin baggage on Flight SG 386 to New Delhi. The airline said on Sunday that the attack left its staff with serious injuries, including a spinal fracture and jaw trauma.Read also: ‘Jaw broken, spine injured’: Army official assaults SpiceJet staff over baggage fee; says he was mistreated, files FIR The officer, attached to the High-Altitude Warfare School in Gulmarg, allegedly refused to pay for carrying “two pieces of cabin baggage weighing a total of 16kg” — more than double the permitted 7kg. SpiceJet said he forced his way into the aerobridge without completing boarding formalities, violating aviation security rules, and had to be escorted back by a CISF officer. It was at the gate that he turned violent. A video of the incident — showing the officer in jeans and a T-shirt punching, kicking, and attacking staff with a queue stand — has gone viral.“One SpiceJet employee collapsed unconscious on the floor but the passenger continued kicking and hitting the fainted employee,” the airline said.“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 four injured staff were rushed to Bone and Joint Hospital and later referred to SMHS Hospital in Srinagar for further treatment. SpiceJet said it had filed a police complaint and was initiating the process to place the officer — whose name and rank have not been disclosed — on the no-fly list. “SpiceJet will pursue this matter to its fullest legal and regulatory conclusion,” a company spokesperson said. Police registered an FIR and collected CCTV footage from airport authorities as evidence. While the airline accused the officer of a “murderous assault,” sources said he was on emergency leave and had also lodged an FIR claiming he was mistreated and missed his flight. The Army said the matter was being investigated. “Based on the outcome, further course of action will be decided,” it said. The defence PRO in Srinagar added: “Indian Army is committed to upholding the highest standards of discipline and conduct and takes all allegations seriously. Full cooperation is being extended to the authorities in investigating the case.” Relatives of the injured SpiceJet staff expressed anger over the officer allegedly being allowed to leave Srinagar soon after the incident. “We trusted the system and didn’t approach the media immediately. But we were shocked he was allowed to leave Srinagar the very next day,” one of them said on Sunday. J&K Police have yet to issue a formal statement. CISF said it “intervened promptly, managed the situation and ensured no disruption to flight operations.”