A violent altercation at Srinagar Airport on July 26, 2025, has resulted in a police case against an Indian Army officer, Lieutenant Colonel Ritesh Kumar Singh, after he allegedly assaulted four SpiceJet staff members following a dispute over excess cabin baggage. The incident, which occurred at the boarding gate for SpiceJet flight SG-386 to Delhi, has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the safety of airline ground staff.

According to SpiceJet, the army officer was carrying two pieces of cabin baggage weighing a total of 16 kg, more than double the permitted limit of 7 kg. When politely informed of the excess baggage and asked to pay the applicable charges, the passenger refused and forcefully entered the aerobridge without completing the boarding process, a clear violation of aviation security protocols.

Mudasir Ahmad, one of the injured SpiceJet employees, recounted the harrowing experience, stating that the officer began shouting as soon as he was approached for a routine baggage check. "He hit me in my face with 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 told news agency ANI. He also mentioned telling the officer that he was carrying two bags weighing 16 kg, exceeding the 7 kg limit, and would need to pay extra, which led to the officer shouting again.

The situation escalated further when the officer was escorted back to the gate by a CISF official. "He pulled out a few things from his bag and threw it at a member of the staff… He hit me on my face with the rest of the baggage… He used his fist and feet to hit me," Ahmad said.

The airline reported that one staff member suffered a spinal fracture and serious jaw injuries after being attacked with punches and repeated kicks. Another employee collapsed unconscious on the floor but the passenger continued kicking and hitting him. A third staffer 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 injured employees were immediately rushed to the hospital and remain under treatment.

SpiceJet has filed an FIR with the local police and initiated the process to place the passenger on the no-fly list in accordance with civil aviation regulations. The airline has also written to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, appraising them about the "murderous assault" on its staff and requesting appropriate action against the passenger. CCTV footage of the incident has been handed over to the police.

The Indian Army has responded to the incident, stating that it is committed to upholding the highest standards of discipline and that all allegations are being taken seriously. "The matter involving an alleged altercation between an Army personnel and airline staff at Srinagar Airport on July 26, 2025 has come to the notice of the Indian Army," officials said, adding that full cooperation is being extended to the authorities in investigating the case.

However, an eyewitness has come forward to challenge the narrative presented by SpiceJet and the media, criticizing what he calls "biased and irresponsible reporting". The eyewitness claims that the officer arrived alone with a single cabin bag weighing around 8-9 kg, which had already been cleared at the check-in counter. He further stated that the situation escalated when the officer was confronted by 4-5 SpiceJet staff at the boarding gate, and that the staff mocked and refused to assist him.

The investigation is ongoing, and the Army has assured full cooperation with the investigating authorities.