Two Saudi men were killed Monday in a shootout with police in the holy city of Mecca, the official Saudi Press Agency reported.
"Security forces foiled a terrorist operation by elements that did not respect the sanctity of holy places and the month of Ramadan," SPA quoted an unnamed Interior Ministry official as saying.
The shootout occurred after police surrounded two buildings in Mecca's al-Share'a neighborhood at 8 a.m., the agency added.
"The terrorists started shooting heavily at security forces, using automatic rifles and hand grenades," the agency quoted the official as saying.
Police fired back at the "terrorists" as they were attempting to flee the area in two cars, hitting one of the vehicles and killing two of its occupants. A cache of weapons and bombs were found inside the car, the official said.
Security also seized fire arms including Kalashnikov rifles, hand grenades, rocket-propelled grenades, and material to make explosives in the raided premise. Passports, identification cards, and flyers were also found. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
