Srinagar: Hours after a militant was killed in a shootout with government forces at midnight on Friday in Achabal area of Anantnag district, police issued a statement saying that the militants had at midnight attacked a police picket, and that was retaliated by the policeman on duty, in which a militant was killed.

“The weapon of the militant was also recovered from the site of the attack,” said a police statement.

The slain militant was identified as Bilal Ahmad son of Abdul Ahad Bhat from Tatripora Yaripora of district Kulgam.

Bilal, according to the police statement, had joined the LeT militant outfit three months ago. “His involvement was also established in a weapon snatching case earlier. He was involved in carrying out attacks on the security forces and civilian atrocities in the area,” the police statement reads.

A policeman has also suffered injuries in the attack and he is undergoing treatment at local hospital where doctors have stated his condition to be stable.

The police statement said that the forces have also seized two cars from the spot of the shootout, which, they say, were “apparently” used by the militants.

“Police has registered a case and investigation is in progress,” the statement said.