Two terrorists, security officer killed in battle
JAZAN: Two suspected Al-Qaeda terrorists were killed and another was arrested following a gunbattle with security forces in Jazan, Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki, spokesman for the Interior Ministry, said Tuesday.
He said a security officer was killed and another was slightly injured during the gunbattle that took place at 6 a.m. He said the terrorists, who came in a car, opened fire at security officers at a checkpoint in Darb when they were stopped.
“Two passengers in the car were wearing women’s attire so a female police officer was called in to check them. In the meantime, those inside the car opened fire at police intensively,” said the spokesman.
Police said two of the three terrorists were wearing explosives belts, adding that they also carried a number of hand grenades, live ammunition, guns and materials used for making explosives.
Al-Turki said the ministry would not give further details of the operation now as that would hamper investigation. He said the militants wanted to undermine the Kingdom’s security and stability.
Informed sources identified the slain officer as Aamir Ahmed Al-Shuwaish. Witnesses said police blocked all roads leading to the area where the battle took place. Security was beefed up with reinforcements.
Muhammad Al-Shuwaish, a cousin of the dead officer, said he heard about his death at 8.30 a.m. “Aamir is married with daughters and he comes from Al-Akkas village in Abha,” he said. Aamir had been working in the police department for the last 12 years. His body was buried in the Musliya graveyard after funeral prayers at King Abdul Aziz Mosque in Abha.
Last month, the Interior Ministry announced the arrest of 44 suspected militants linked to an Al-Qaeda cell. The militants sought to recruit young men and financed their activities with donations secured through charities.
“The suspects were arrested over a period of one year. The operation began July 20, 2008, and ended Aug. 2 this year,” said Al-Turki. “Forty-three of those arrested are Saudi nationals.”
He said that some of them had received training in the Kingdom and abroad on the use of light and heavy weapons.
JAZAN: Two suspected Al-Qaeda terrorists were killed and another was arrested following a gunbattle with security forces in Jazan, Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki, spokesman for the Interior Ministry, said Tuesday.
He said a security officer was killed and another was slightly injured during the gunbattle that took place at 6 a.m. He said the terrorists, who came in a car, opened fire at security officers at a checkpoint in Darb when they were stopped.
“Two passengers in the car were wearing women’s attire so a female police officer was called in to check them. In the meantime, those inside the car opened fire at police intensively,” said the spokesman.
Police said two of the three terrorists were wearing explosives belts, adding that they also carried a number of hand grenades, live ammunition, guns and materials used for making explosives.
Al-Turki said the ministry would not give further details of the operation now as that would hamper investigation. He said the militants wanted to undermine the Kingdom’s security and stability.
Informed sources identified the slain officer as Aamir Ahmed Al-Shuwaish. Witnesses said police blocked all roads leading to the area where the battle took place. Security was beefed up with reinforcements.
Muhammad Al-Shuwaish, a cousin of the dead officer, said he heard about his death at 8.30 a.m. “Aamir is married with daughters and he comes from Al-Akkas village in Abha,” he said. Aamir had been working in the police department for the last 12 years. His body was buried in the Musliya graveyard after funeral prayers at King Abdul Aziz Mosque in Abha.
Last month, the Interior Ministry announced the arrest of 44 suspected militants linked to an Al-Qaeda cell. The militants sought to recruit young men and financed their activities with donations secured through charities.
“The suspects were arrested over a period of one year. The operation began July 20, 2008, and ended Aug. 2 this year,” said Al-Turki. “Forty-three of those arrested are Saudi nationals.”
He said that some of them had received training in the Kingdom and abroad on the use of light and heavy weapons.
