Srinagar: Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir have strongly condemned the recent assault by an Army officer on employees of a private airline at Srinagar International Airport, demanding accountability for the incident. The assault, which took place last week, reportedly involved a senior Army officer who was attempting to board a flight to Delhi when a dispute arose over excess cabin baggage.

SpiceJet, the airline whose staff were affected, stated that on July 26, the officer allegedly attacked four ground staffers, resulting in serious injuries to one, including a spinal fracture. An FIR has been registered with the local police, and the airline has initiated steps to place the officer on the no-fly list, adhering to civil aviation regulations. SpiceJet clarified that the assault occurred after the officer refused to pay for his excess baggage.

National Conference spokesperson Sarah Hayat Shah denounced the act as "gundagardi" on X, labelling it "highly condemnable & shameful" and insisting on the officer's accountability. PDP leader Iltija Mufti also called for immediate action, stating, "How dare this Army officer launch a murderous assault on employees at Srinagar airport simply for refusing excess cabin luggage? His demonic rage left one of the victims with a spinal fracture." She urged military authorities to set a precedent with swift measures.

With inputs from PTI