Srinagar, April 16 -- The boat carrying 26 passengers, including 15 schoolchildren, according to eyewitnesses, capsized in the Jhelum River at Gandbal, Batwara area this morning, creating total chaos and confusion in the area.

The incident, witnesses said, occurred around 8: 30 this morning, after the boat's rope broke unexpectedly, causing the vessel to collide with a pillar of an under construction bridge in the centre of the Jhelum river.

Rescue operation began as soon as the tragedy occurred, with a combined team from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, and army continuing to look for the missing individuals.

The rescue operation, which was in progress when the last reports came in, is being continuously monitored by ...