SpiceJet Staff 'Almost Killed' by Army Officer at Srinagar Airport

SRINAGAR- A violent altercation involving a senior Indian Army officer and ground staff of SpiceJet (SG) occurred at Srinagar Airport (SXR) last week, leaving two employees seriously injured.

The airline has called the incident a “murderous assault” stemming from a dispute over excess cabin baggage.

The passenger, identified as Lt. Col. Ritesh Kumar Singh and posted in Gulmarg, allegedly refused to pay baggage fees before physically attacking the SpiceJet (SG) team. The airline has filed an FIR and is working to add the officer to India’s no-fly list.

Photo: Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh Tekriwal

Army Officer Assaults SpiceJer Staff

According to SpiceJet’s statement, the incident began on July 26, 2025, when the passenger attempted to board a flight while carrying 16 kg of cabin baggage—more than double the 7 kg allowance.

When informed about the excess and asked to pay, the passenger allegedly refused, bypassed the boarding process, and attempted to enter the aerobridge. A CISF official intervened and escorted him back to the boarding gate.

At the gate, the passenger reportedly turned violent. He punched one employee so forcefully that the staff member lost consciousness and collapsed.

The assault continued even after the employee was on the ground. Another staff member who bent down to assist was kicked in the face, suffering injuries to the nose and jaw.

SpiceJet later confirmed that the injured employees were taken to a hospital, where one was diagnosed with a spinal fracture and the other with serious facial injuries.

Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh Tekriwal

Airline Seeks Strict Action and No-Fly Listing

SpiceJet has formally written to the Ministry of Civil Aviation requesting strong punitive action. The airline is also pursuing the placement of the passenger on India’s no-fly list in accordance with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) protocols.

Airport authorities have handed over CCTV footage of the incident to the police. An FIR has been registered, and investigations are underway.

The airline issued a public statement condemning the violence, stating it would pursue all legal and regulatory avenues to ensure accountability.

While the Indian Army has not officially commented, sources confirm that the incident is being investigated internally. An inquiry has been ordered, and the Army has taken cognisance of the events at Srinagar Airport (SXR).

The altercation highlights a serious breach of airport security protocols. Entering the aerobridge without clearance and engaging in violence against airline personnel pose both safety and legal risks.

Civil aviation authorities have been alerted, and further regulatory scrutiny of the incident is expected.

Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh Tekriwal

Similar Incident

On July 14, 2025, a SpiceJet (SG) flight from Delhi (DEL) to Mumbai (BOM) was delayed nearly seven hours after two passengers tried to access the cockpit before takeoff. The disruption occurred on Flight SG9282 at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), forcing the aircraft to return to the gate.

The incident triggered a full-scale security response, with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) removing the passengers from the plane. The flight, originally scheduled to depart at 12:30 PM, finally took off at 7:21 PM.

The issue began shortly after taxiing when two passengers became unruly over the cabin temperature. They reportedly complained about the air-conditioning and ignored instructions from the crew to remain seated.

Despite repeated requests from both the cabin crew and fellow travelers, the pair attempted to move toward the front of the aircraft, prompting a safety concern.

In line with safety protocols, the captain returned the aircraft to the terminal. SpiceJet stated that the crew followed standard operating procedures and escalated the matter only after all efforts to resolve it calmly had failed.

Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 confirmed that the aircraft remained on the ground for nearly seven hours before it resumed service to Mumbai.

Photo: SpiceJet Boeing 737 MAX 8 VT-MAX | Vienna Airport 29.9.2018 | Flickr

Security Response and Passenger Offloading

Once the aircraft was back at the gate, CISF personnel were called to the scene. The two passengers were offloaded and handed over to local authorities.

Their names have not been released, and the motive behind their actions remains unclear. The CISF is currently handling the investigation, and any further legal steps will depend on their final report.

According to civil aviation security rules, any unauthorized approach to the cockpit is treated as a potential threat. Even an attempt to breach that space can lead to detention and criminal prosecution under national aviation safety laws.

Passenger Impact and Airline Response

Multiple passengers on board confirmed that the disruptive individuals were repeatedly asked to comply with instructions. Their continued refusal caused distress and inconvenience to the remaining travelers, who had to wait hours for the situation to resolve.

SpiceJet later confirmed the timeline and actions taken in a public statement. The airline emphasized that flight safety was never compromised and all protocols were properly followed.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has not yet made a formal statement. However, incidents of this nature are typically subject to internal review. Airlines are required to submit incident reports, and the regulator determines any necessary follow-up action.

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