A recent incident at Srinagar Airport has triggered a storm of criticism from Army veterans, who have called for a public boycott of SpiceJet after allegations surfaced that the airline’s staff misbehaved with a serving Indian Army officer. The call to action began circulating on social media following an altercation involving Lt Col Ritesh Kumar Singh, who was reportedly travelling on urgent family leave with minimal luggage.

In an era where those who protect us are often the first to be vilified, the latest CCTV footage from Srinagar Airport brings to light a troubling truth—it was SpiceJet employees who first assaulted the Army Officer.

The video footage, now widely circulating, shows SpiceJet staffer Mudasir Ahmad Khan and other employees aggressively confronting the Army officer at the 30-second mark, making the first physical advance. Their repeated threatening postures and attempt to strike the officer clearly initiated the clash. Only after being physically cornered did the soldier respond.

“The incident at Srinagar Airport which is being glorified against the Army Officer & the Armed Forces, as well,” has now been exposed for what it truly was—a one-sided provocation by airline employees.

“Please see, the complete video which has surfaced now👇. It is evident that it was the SpiceJet Staffers who hit the Army Officer first and kept on taking threatening postures to hit him again which infuriated the said Officer who then gave them back.”

So before we jump to conclusions and blame the Army personnel—as seems to be a growing trend—here are some key facts the mainstream outrage conveniently ignores:

• The Army officer carried some extra luggage, which he admitted.

• In an effort to bring the weight down, he threw away 2–3 kilograms of his own clothes into a dustbin at the airport—a decision no traveller makes lightly.

• Even after that, he was asked to pay an additional ₹1200, which he paid without protest.

• He never received a receipt for the amount.

• Most importantly, he was in a rush to attend a medical emergency in his family, but was ultimately denied boarding and missed his flight.

Instead of assistance or compassion, what followed was an escalation initiated by the SpiceJet staff, and now, a smear campaign aimed at tarnishing the soldier's image.

Meanwhile, the airline continues to remain silent on the missing receipt, their staff’s aggressive conduct, and the loss inflicted upon the officer.

Let’s ask the honest question—if you were in his place, trying to reach a loved one in medical distress, having followed all instructions, paid the fees, even discarded personal belongings, and were still insulted and provoked, how would you react?

This is not just about airline policy. It’s about how we treat our soldiers, who protect borders with dignity, and deserve the same respect in return.

According to an eyewitness, the officer arrived alone, carrying a single cabin bag weighing around 8–9 kg, which had already been cleared at the check-in counter. He had no check-in baggage and was at the airport for a short personal trip. The situation escalated rapidly when, at the boarding gate, he was suddenly confronted by 4–5 SpiceJet staff members. What should have been a routine boarding process turned into a heated encounter, one that has now become a national controversy.

The alleged incident, which took place on July 26, 2025, led to what many veterans are calling ‘misbehaviour’ and ‘manhandling’ of a uniformed officer. In response, numerous retired Army personnel have taken to social media to condemn the airline’s conduct and promote the hashtag #BoycottSpiceJet, demanding accountability and respect for the armed forces.

The officer at the centre of this controversy, Lt Col Ritesh Kumar Singh, has denied the allegations, stating clearly that he was “provoked” by the staff. Following the altercation, he lodged an official First Information Report (FIR) against the airline, accusing SpiceJet of mistreatment and undue aggression. His version of events suggests that the situation spiralled not due to any refusal to cooperate but because of how he was allegedly approached and treated by the staff.

Veterans Rally Behind Officer, Demand Accountability

Support from the defence community was swift and sharp. One of the strongest public statements came from Retired Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia, who urged all Indians to stand in solidarity with the officer.

“I urge citizens of India & Faujis past & present & their dependents to boycott SpiceJet. Their staff insults, misbehaves and manhandles soldiers, and thereafter lodges false complaints. Recent incident in Srinagar is only one example. RT please. Jago fliers please,” his post on X (formerly Twitter) stated, drawing widespread support and resharing.

Lt Col Singh, currently posted at the High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS), Gulmarg, has also filed a counter FIR against the airline. He insists that the treatment meted out to him was both uncalled for and humiliating. Meanwhile, SpiceJet has responded by accusing him of a "murderous attempt" on their staff, further inflaming tensions. One of their employees, identified as Mudasir, allegedly suffered a spinal injury during the encounter.

Reckless Media, Silent Truth: A First-Hand Account of the Army Officer–SpiceJet Clash at Srinagar Airport

“It is truly disturbing to see how biased and irresponsible certain media platforms can be – publishing one-sided narratives without any real investigation, or attempt to understand the full story. The recent coverage regarding the incident involving a serving Indian Army officer and SpiceJet staff at Srinagar Airport on 26 July 2025 is a glaring example of such reckless journalism.”

These words come not from a distant observer, but from someone who stood at the very gate where the incident unfolded. The eyewitness testimony now challenges the popular narrative being echoed by several media outlets and SpiceJet’s version of events—accusing them of deliberate distortion and a blatant disregard for truth.

“I was present at the boarding gate and personally witnessed the entire episode unfold. What actually happened is in stark contrast to what's being peddled by SpiceJet and amplified by some media outlets.”

According to the eyewitness, the Army officer had no check-in baggage, only a small cabin bag weighing 8–9 kg, already cleared by the airline at the check-in counter without objection. The soldier was traveling alone, unarmed, and on urgent short leave due to a personal family emergency.

Yet, just before boarding, 4–5 SpiceJet staffers aggressively stopped him, suddenly objecting to the bag’s weight—the same bag they had earlier approved.

“The officer calmly explained his situation and even attempted to lighten the bag by removing some clothes and discarding them, just to avoid any confrontation.”

But rather than resolve the matter with empathy or professionalism, the staff allegedly escalated the situation, with one reportedly mocking him saying, “Aaj army wala fansa hai.” It became evident they viewed him not as a passenger in distress, but as a soft target for coercion.

The soldier’s request to speak to a senior officer was flatly denied. While he tried to explain, the boarding gate was shut in his face, without a moment’s courtesy or protocol. With tensions rising, a minor scuffle broke out, but the eyewitness says it was the Army officer who was surrounded, outnumbered, and visibly shaken.

“Let’s be clear – he was alone and unarmed. They were many, aggressive, and controlling the situation. Any suggestion that he ‘assaulted’ them is not just misleading – it’s a fabrication.”

In fact, he appeared to be the only one with visible injuries, while SpiceJet staff, with alleged minor bruises, were quick to file FIRs and get admitted to hospitals—a move the eyewitness described as a calculated attempt to flip the script and avoid accountability.

What stings more than the incident itself is the media’s response.

“What’s worse is that a few media outlets have now irresponsibly picked up SpiceJet’s version, completely ignoring the officer’s side or even trying to verify facts. This is not just unfair – it’s dangerous journalism.”

At its core, this is not just a scuffle at an airport, but a reflection of how easily public opinion can be manipulated when journalism fails to do its due diligence. A soldier, trained to face enemies at the border, is being villainized at home—not because of his actions, but because of a one-sided narrative shaped without scrutiny.

“The truth is simple: a man in uniform, travelling alone, was mistreated, insulted, and ultimately manhandled by an unprofessional and aggressive airline staff. And now, instead of accountability, we’re seeing a PR cover-up, backed by selective media reporting.”

The eyewitness calls for justice—not based on who shouted louder, but based on facts, evidence, and fairness.

“It is imperative that the public and authorities hear both sides and let facts – not manipulated narratives – decide what justice looks like.”

The Srinagar Showdown: SpiceJet's Allegations and Army’s Response

The incident in question occurred at the boarding gate of flight SG-386 from Srinagar to Delhi. As per SpiceJet’s official statement, the dispute began over excess cabin luggage, with the airline alleging that Lt Col Singh was carrying 16 kg—over twice the permitted 7 kg. When asked to pay for the excess weight, the officer allegedly refused and attempted to board without completing the required process.

SpiceJet claims that upon being stopped, the officer became violent, assaulting four members of their ground staff. Their account includes severe injuries such as a spinal fracture and facial trauma, and they assert that CCTV footage supports their claims.

A video circulating online appears to show the officer hitting a staff member with a metal stand. A security guard is seen intervening, grabbing the stand, but the chaos continued. "Despite this, Mr Singh continues to lash out at the staff with punches and expletives," the airline alleged. A police officer can also be seen trying to defuse the situation.

SpiceJet further stated that “Another staff member suffered bleeding from the nose and mouth after receiving a forceful kick to the jaw while bending down to assist the colleague who had fainted.” In its defence, the airline has submitted CCTV evidence to the police and begun the process of adding Mr Singh to the no-fly list.

The Indian Army’s Public Relations Office issued a statement in response, asserting that “The Indian Army is committed to upholding the highest standards of discipline and conduct and takes all allegations seriously.” They confirmed that an internal investigation is underway, and any further action will be decided based on its outcome.

Lt Col Singh, on his part, told The Indian Express that he was harassed and provoked by the SpiceJet staff. Police in Kashmir have registered a case against Mr Singh for criminal intimidation and assault, but at the same time, Mr Singh has lodged a complaint against the airline staff for the use of force and violence.

SpiceJet reiterated its position in a statement to FinancialExpress.com, saying: “SpiceJet will pursue this matter to its fullest legal and regulatory conclusion to put the passenger on no-fly list.”