The incident occurred after about 30 students, aged between seven and 17, had pleaded with the sailors to take them for a ride around the lake in their motorboat, said an army spokesman. He went to say that the children got excited during the ride, and leaned over one side, resulting in the boat turning over. Sailors jumped in and rescued 12 students and a teacher, he added. The boat was designed to hold 10 adults, officials said.
"A detachment of Naval Marine Commandos is deployed at Wular Lake to assist the Army in counter insurgency operations in the Valley. Preliminary investigations indicate that a group of teachers and school children, of a private primary school at Handwara, approached the sailors on duty at the post and requested for a boat ride in a BAUT (Boat Assault). The BAUT has a capacity to carry 16 fully equipped combat troops plus two crewmembers. The school children along with their teachers embarked the BAUT,which capsized after covering a distance of 50 to 60 meters from the launch point. The sailors in the BAUT were able to rescue one teacher and about 11 children, however the rest unfortunately drowned.
The Indian Navy totally shares the sorrow of the bereaved families and stands committed to provide any assistance in this hour of grief. Vice Admiral NK Verma, Chief of Personnel, has been deputed, on behalf of the Chief of Naval Staff, to call on the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir to offer condolences. He will also hand over a cheque of Rupees 20 lakhs for disbursement to the bereaved families.
The state government and the Indian Army have ordered a judicial enquiry and a Court of Inquiry respectively to investigate into the incident. The Indian Navy is committed in providing all assistance towards expeditious investigation. Suitable disciplinary action will be initiated against those found responsible for the accident."
