Militants attacked a heavily-guarded police station early on Monday in the border district of Poonch in Jammu region, killing one policeman.

Police said a group of heavily-armed militants used a heavy volume of automatic fire to attack the police station in Gursai, 200 kms from winter capital Jammu.

"In the heavy firing by militants, a sentry on guard duty at the police station was killed on the spot," said a police officer.

He said the policemen took position and returned the fire, following which the militants escaped. "Searches in the area are still continuing," the officer added.