At least 15 people, including four women and three children, have been killed when two families clashed in a village in Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh.

The incident occured Thursday night in Shankarpur Jhisni village when Saghan Mishra's family was allegedly attacked by Lalai Bajpai of the same village.

His mother, wife and three children were killed, police said on Friday.

In retaliation, Mishra's supporters attacked Bajpai's house and killed seven persons, including his mother, daughter-in-law and five of his close relatives, they added.

Three others were also killed in the exchange of fire between the two groups.

Old enmity is stated to be the reason behind the murders, police said adding police force has been deployed in the village to avoid any untoward incident.

No one was arrested in this connection, they said, adding senior police officers had also reached the spot.