"Although the officers maintained restraint and asked them to surrender, they continued to fire and attack us. This went on for 15 minutes. We retaliated and four accused got killed."

Two officers suffered head injuries but these were not caused by bullets, he added. The two police officers were admitted to hospital, he said

"Let me tell you this. The law has taken its own course," he added.

The police were heavily criticised after the rape and murder of the vet - particularly when the victim's family accused them of inaction for two hours.