A man accused of holding 17 children and two adults hostage inside a studio in Mumbai’s Powai on Thursday was shot dead by the police during a rescue operation, PTI reported.

All 19 persons were rescued.

An unidentified police officer told the news agency that the man, identified as Rohit Arya, was shot when he tried to harm the children with an air gun. He was taken to a hospital where he died, the officer added.

The incident took place at Ra Studio located at Mahavir Classik building in Powai when the children, about 15 years old, had come for an audition. Arya allegedly locked them inside.

Arya also recorded a video and released it on social media, in which he identified himself and said that he would like to talk to a few persons and ask them questions, The Indian Express rep

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