Over 20 children, aged between six months and 15 years, were rescued after an armed man, a murder accused who took them, hostage, after inviting them for a birthday party at his house in a village here, was killed on Thursday night, police said.

In Mohammadabad's Kathariya village, a murder accused out on bail locked the children in the house.

The accused, identified as Subhash Batham had invited the children to his house on his daughter's birthday.

READ | Farrukhabad hostage horror ends after 9 hours, accused killed, all kids rescued safely

The villagers who went up to the accused to rescue the children and women were threatened by the drunkard.

Villager Satish Chandra Dubey, who went to talk to the accused and rescue the hostages, was shot at by the drunkard. The bullet hit his leg and he was taken to a nearby hospital. Batham has allegedly asked an MLA and SP to come close to the house but when Satish Chandra Dubey also moved close to talk to him, Subhash Batham hit Satish Chandra Dubey in his leg.

The murder accused who was holding 20 children and a few women hostage at the house, opened fire at police and also threw a hand grenade at police. Three police personnel and a villager were left injured.

Heavy police force including the SP and ASP reached the spot and surrounded the house.

UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had called a high-level meeting over Farrukhabad incident. Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Home), DGP, ADGP Law and Order were present. Yogi Adityanath also talked to the DM and SP.

Accused had invited children to his house on his daughter's birthday | Photo from ANI

ADG Law and Order PV Ramashastry said, "Rescue operation is being done. Quick Response Team [QRT] and Special Operation Group [SOG] team are there. Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) is on its way. It is being said that around 20 children are inside."

Ramashastry said that the man had been sentenced to life imprisonment in a murder case and he was out on a bail.

"He had called the children on the pretext of a birthday party and held them hostage. He opened fire on villagers. DM, SSP and police force are present near his house," Ramashastry said.

Murder accused Subhash Batham who has held children and women hostage in UP's Farrukhabad

"Commandos have been rushed to the spot," Director General of Police (DGP) OP Singh said.

"Twenty children are being held hostage at Kathariya village," Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) PV Rama Shastri said.

The DGP said that "we are ensuring their safe rescue and if needed NSG [National Security Guard] will also be called for the operation".

(With inputs from Feroz Khan, Madhukar, Arvind Ojha and ANI)