A policeman was seriously injured when a Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist escaped from custody while being brought to a court in Pulwama district headquarters in South Kashmir on Thursday.

The terrorist -- Altaf Ahmad Malik -- was involved in the killing of a railway engineer.

Police sources said Malik was being taken to the magistrate's court in Pulwama town when some of his associates opened fire at the policeman holding on the handcuffed terrorist. The cop was critically injured in the shooting.

Terrorists also exploded a powerful hand grenade, which triggered panic near the court, facilitating Malik's escape, sources added.

A massive hunt is on to nab the terrorist.