In a dramatic and now widely debated confrontation at Srinagar Airport, an Indian Army officer posted in north Kashmir was booked on July 26, 2025, for allegedly assaulting four SpiceJet employees over an excess baggage dispute. However, emerging eyewitness accounts suggest a very different version of the events that day, challenging the airline’s claims and raising serious concerns about media bias and accountability.

SpiceJet’s Official Statement: Assault Over Cabin Baggage Charges

According to SpiceJet, the officer — identified as being attached to the High-Altitude Warfare School in Gulmarg — became violent when asked to pay for carrying two pieces of cabin baggage weighing 16kg, which exceeded the 7kg limit for hand luggage on Flight SG 386 to New Delhi.

The airline reported that the altercation turned violent, leaving multiple staff members seriously injured, including a spinal fracture and jaw trauma. A video clip surfaced showing a man in jeans and a T-shirt striking airline employees and allegedly using a queue stand as a weapon. The footage quickly went viral across social media.

The Viral Video: One-Sided or Misleading?

While the video seems to portray the officer as the aggressor, a closer look reveals it shows only a portion of the incident. Eyewitnesses and users on social media are now calling out the media for sharing a one-sided story.

One such post by user @Rijuljk, who claims to have been present at the gate, says the narrative presented by SpiceJet is deeply misleading.

Eyewitness Account: SpiceJet & Lt Col Incident

It’s deeply troubling to see how biased and careless some media platforms have become—publishing one-sided stories without conducting proper investigations or making any effort to understand the complete picture. The recent coverage… pic.twitter.com/1sis3lTP6F

— Rijul (@Rijuljk) August 3, 2025

Eyewitness Account Challenges Official Narrative

According to the eyewitness:

• The Army officer had only one small cabin bag (approx. 8–9 kg) and no check-in luggage.
• His bag was cleared at the check-in counter, but he was stopped again at the boarding gate by 4–5 staff members.
• Despite calmly explaining his situation — an urgent family emergency — the officer was allegedly harassed.
• He even removed some clothes from his bag to meet weight limits, yet the staff escalated the issue.
• One staff member allegedly remarked, “Aaj army wala fansa hai” — implying intentional targeting.
• When he requested a senior staff member, he was denied and the gate was shut in his face.

A minor scuffle followed. The eyewitness insists that the officer, though alone and unarmed, was surrounded and assaulted first, and only reacted in self-defense.

Questionable Reporting & Media Responsibility

The incident has ignited a fierce online debate, not just about airline behavior, but also about media integrity.

The uncritical reporting of SpiceJet’s claims without verifying facts, or reaching out to the Army officer’s side, has left many questioning whether journalism has become PR for corporates.

“This kind of selective reporting is not just unfair—it’s dangerous,” said the eyewitness, calling for a balanced and fact-based investigation.

Public Sentiment: Sympathy for Soldier, Distrust in Airlines

As the debate unfolds online, a large portion of the public seems to side with the Army officer. Many have expressed outrage over what they see as disrespect toward a uniformed serviceman, especially during a family emergency.

Others are demanding a thorough and impartial investigation to uncover the truth — not a PR-fueled narrative crafted to protect reputations.

The incident at Srinagar Airport is no longer just about excess baggage or staff injuries — it’s now a case study in how quickly narratives can be shaped, facts can be buried, and justice can be compromised.

As pressure builds, the public expects the authorities — both civil and military — to investigate transparently and ensure that truth and accountability prevail over media sensationalism.