Mumbai: Police shoot dead accused after 17 children held hostage

Police have rescued 19 people, including 17 children, from a hostage situation at a studio in Mumbai, India. Police claim that they were held hostage on the pretext of auditioning.

This was reported by The Times of India in a report.

The accused hostage-taker was shot during the rescue operation. He later died while undergoing treatment. The incident took place in Mumbai's Powai area on Thursday afternoon.

A police official said that the accused's name is Rohit Arya. He released an hour-long video during the hostage drama. When he tried to harm the children with an air gun, the police opened fire. He later died in the hospital.

Mumbai Police Joint Commissioner (Law and Order) Satyanarayana said, "All the children are safe now." According to him, Arya probably called 15-year-old boys and girls for auditions for a web series. Apart from the gun, he had some chemicals with him.

Deputy Police Commissioner Datta Nalawade said, a call came to the police at around 1:45 pm.

It is said that a person has taken children hostage inside the R A studio of Mahavir Classic Bhavan. After receiving the information, various police units reached the spot and conducted a rescue operation.

How Mumbai Police entered to rescue the hostages

Mumbai Police entered through the toilet behind the studio. And they rescued the hostage children. However, the surprising thing here is that the accused named Rohit aimed at the police and fired from a firearm. After that, the police opened fire on the accused. After that, the accused was shot.

An elderly woman and a girl present inside the studio were also injured in this incident. They have been taken to the hospital. The accused, who is also taken to the hospital, was also taken to the hospital. However, the accused named Rohit died in an encounter with the police later.