'He hit me in face with baggage': SpiceJet staffer recounts assault by Army officer

SpiceJet employee Mudasir Ahmad, who was assaulted by an Army officer at Srinagar airport, recalled the violent incident on Monday and said the Army officer hit him in the face with baggage after he asked him to pay for extra cabin luggage.

Describing the assault, Ahmad said, “He hit me on my face with his baggage. He slapped me and started hitting me with his fists and feet. At the end, he punched me and I fell down.”

The SpiceJet employee suffered a spinal fracture after the assault.

He said that the passenger’s hand baggage weighed 16 kg and was carrying two bags, while just one bag weighing 7 kg is allowed. The officer started lashing at him upon being stopped.

“He had two bags. I stopped him for checking. As soon as I asked him to move to the side, he started shouting. I told him his hand baggage weighed 16 kg and he was carrying two bags, while just one, weighing 7 kg, is allowed. I told him that he would have to pay for the excess. He refused, became aggressive, and started shouting again,” Ahmad recalled.

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. CISF brought him back, and once again, he was told to pay,” he said.

“At the boarding gate, the officer reportedly pulled out a few things from his bag and threw them at a member of the staff,” Ahmad added.

The incident occurred on July 26, when the Army officer allegedly assaulted four SpiceJet ground staff members at Srinagar airport.

On Sunday, the Indian Army issued a statement saying it is fully cooperating with the authorities in the investigations into the case.

The Army said it is aware of the incident and emphasised its commitment to high standards of discipline. It also assured full cooperation with authorities in investigating the matter.

As per the statement from the Indian Army official, “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. The 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.”