Army officer assaults four SpiceJet staffers in Srinagar

AN ARMY OFFICER has been booked for allegedly assaulting four members of SpiceJet's staff at the Srinagar International Airport.

- BASHAARAT MASOOD & AMRITA NAYAK DUTTA

The airline's airport staff were allegedly thrashed after they asked the officer, Ritesh Kumar Singh, who was flying out of Srinagar, to pay for extra luggage.

The incident took place on July 26, and SpiceJet issued a statement on Sunday, saying injuries suffered by their staff members in the "murderous assault" included a spinal fracture and serious jaw injuries.

The Army said it was extending full cooperation to authorities investigating the case. "The matter involving an alleged altercation between an Army personnel and airline staff at Srinagar Airport on July 26 has come to the notice of the Indian Army. The Indian Army is committed to upholding the highest standards of discipline and conduct, and takes all allegations seriously. Full cooperation is being extended to the authorities in investigating the case," the Army said. Singh, a Lieutenant Colonel posted at the High Altitude Warfare School in Kashmir's Gulmarg, claimed over the phone, "I have no story to tell. The story is that they harassed me and provoked me. That is all."