SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- A militant was killed and a policeman wounded Saturday in a fierce gunfight in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said.

The gunfight broke out in Khul-Ranipora near Achabal of Anantnag district, about 67 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

According to police, the gunfight was triggered after militants attacked a police picket.

"Militants during the midnight hours attacked a police picket in Achabal. However, the attack was successfully repulsed by the alert policemen on duty," a police spokesman said. "In the retaliatory action one militant was killed and a weapon recovered."

Police officials said a policeman was also wounded during the stand-off and he has been removed to nearby medical facility.

Reports said following the attack the contingents of police and the army cordoned off the area to carry out searches.

A guerilla war is going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989. The gunfight between the two sides takes place intermittently across the region.