According to police sources, the exchange of fire took place between 5.45 a.m. to 6.15 a.m.

The four accused in the case of rape and murder of a woman veterinarian have been killed in an exchange of fire with the police at Chatanpally of Shadnagar, 50 km from Hyderabad.

According to police sources, the exchange of fire took place between 5.45 am to 6.15 a.m. near the Chatanpally underpass, where the charred body of the vet was found. The accused tried to flee when they were taken to Chatanpally to reconstruct the crime scene, the sources said.

The accused killed in the encounter are Md Arif (26), the lorry driver and Jollu Naveen, Jollu Shiva and Ch Chennakeshavulu, all 20 years of age.

The accused allegedly threw stones at policemen escorting them, snatched the weapons from them and started firing.

Speaking to The Hindu, Cyberabad Commissioner of Police V.C. Sajjanar said Arif and Chennakeshwalu snatched two 0.9 mm short pistols from the special party and started firing. Meanwhile, Naveen and Shiv started pelting stones at the policemen. They also got hold of iron rods found in the vicinity, when they were taken to the crime spot for recreating the crime scene. The police had to fire in retaliation, and killed all the four of them, he added.

Also read: Justice done, says Hyderabad victim’s family

Two policemen were injured and are being treated at a private hospital in Hyderabad.

Forensic experts have reached the spot.

The encounter took place barely within 400 metres where the body of Disha was found.

The entire area has been cordoned off after locals gathered the spot as the news spread. People distributed sweets and hailed the police for their action.

On November 27 the veterinarian who was on her way home after a medical check-up at Gachibowli was abducted near Tondupally toll gate of the Outer Ring Road near RGI Airport. Later, her charred body was found at the underpass near Chatanpalli.

The Cyberabad police are yet to make an official announcement on how the encounter took place. Senior police officials said they would announce details soon.

Also Read Hyderabad rape case: Top cop Sajjanar led similar encounter in 2008 in Warangal

Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to Telangana Police on Friday’s encounter.