Muhammad Abrar, Daily Dawn, Dawn TV report
Srinagar: An Indian Army officer allegedly assaulted four airport employees for demanding payment of excess baggage charges while boarding a flight from Srinagar to Delhi on July 26, Times of India
A case has been registered against an Indian Army officer for allegedly assaulting four airport employees at Srinagar airport for demanding payment of excess baggage charges.
According to the Times of India, the incident took place on July 26 when the Indian Army officer was boarding a flight from Srinagar to Delhi. He allegedly assaulted four airport employees at Srinagar airport for demanding payment of excess baggage charges.
According to the report, the military officer attacked the employees with punches, kicks and even a metal stand, resulting in serious injuries to the crew members.
According to the Times of India, “The airline says its crew members suffered spinal fractures and severe jaw injuries.”
The newspaper further reported that the passenger’s luggage weighed 16 kilograms, more than double the permitted 7 kilograms. When the airline staff asked him to pay the excess baggage fee, he refused and forcibly entered the aerobridge without completing the boarding process.
The Times of India quoted a spokesperson for Indian airline SpiceJet as saying, “He was brought back to the gate by a CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) officer, where he became more aggressive and attacked four SpiceJet ground staff members.”
“A SpiceJet employee fell unconscious on the ground, but the passenger military officer continued to kick and punch the unconscious employee,” the spokesperson said.
“When another employee bent down to help his unconscious colleague, the passenger kicked him hard on the jaw, causing blood to flow from his nose and mouth,” the spokesperson added.
According to the spokesperson, the injured crew members were immediately shifted to the hospital, where they are undergoing treatment.
The Times of India quoted an Indian Army statement as saying, “The Indian Army has taken cognizance of the incident that took place between an army personnel and airline staff at Srinagar airport on July 26.”
The statement further said that “the Indian Army is committed to discipline and high ethical standards and takes all allegations seriously, and is fully cooperating with the relevant authorities in the investigation.”
On the other hand, SpiceJet has registered an FIR with the local police and has initiated the process of including the passenger in the no-fly list.
“SpiceJet has informed the aviation ministry about the deadly attack on its staff and has requested appropriate action against the passenger,” the spokesperson said.
The airline has obtained CCTV footage of the incident and handed it over to the police.
According to the Indian newspaper The Hindu, the military officer against whom the FIR has been filed is a Lieutenant Colonel, and a case has been registered against him at the Budgam police station.
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