Senior army officer charged for ‘murderous assault’ on airline staff at Srinagar Airport

The incident unfolded when the officer, reportedly carrying two cabin bags weighing 16 kg — more than double the permitted limit of 7 kg — was asked to pay the applicable excess baggage charges.

Srinagar: A senior Army officer has been charged for “murderous assault” after allegedly attacking four SpiceJet ground staff during a violent altercation over excess cabin baggage at Srinagar International Airport last week, officials from the police and airline confirmed.

The incident occurred when the officer, reportedly carrying two cabin bags weighing 16 kg—more than twice the permitted limit of 7 kg—refused to pay the applicable excess baggage charges.

According to SpiceJet, the officer then forcefully bypassed mandatory boarding procedures and entered the aerobridge, violating aviation security protocols.

Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel, who guard the airport, intercepted the officer and brought him back to the boarding gate, where the situation escalated further. In the ensuing altercation, the officer allegedly assaulted four SpiceJet staff members, seriously injuring two.

“One of our employees collapsed unconscious, but the passenger continued to kick and assault him,” a SpiceJet spokesperson said. “Another staffer, who bent down to assist his colleague, was kicked in the jaw, resulting in severe bleeding from the nose and mouth.”

One staff member reportedly suffered a spinal fracture, while another sustained serious injuries to the jaw. All injured personnel were rushed to hospital and are currently under treatment.

Video footage of the incident, which surfaced on social media on August 3, shows the officer violently hitting the ground staff with a queue stand, sparking widespread outrage.

SpiceJet has filed a First Information Report (FIR) with local police and has begun the process of placing the officer on India’s no-fly list. The airline described the assault as “a grave act of violence” and urged the Ministry of Civil Aviation to take strict action.

Quoting sources, local news agency Kashmir Dot Com (KDC) identified the accused as Lt Colonel Ritesh Kumar Singh, currently posted at the High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) in Gulmarg.

In a statement, the Army said it takes the matter seriously and is cooperating fully with authorities. “We are committed to upholding the highest standards of discipline and conduct,” said the Defence PRO.

The incident has triggered strong reactions among airport staff and airline personnel, who are demanding stricter enforcement of safety protocols and better protection against such violent behavior.