2 Saudi security officers shot down

Gunmen shot dead two Saudi security officers in the eastern city of Dammam today, Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya TV reported.

Pictures posted on Al-Arabiya‘s website showed police cars with flashing lights crowding the crime scene, a residential street.

“Two security men were martyred…three unidentified gunmen opened fire on the two security men as they returned from work in Dammam,” the channel said, adding that the officers were driving a private car.

The incident came as one of the officers was driving his private car back to his residence when three unknown gunman started opening fire on the vehicle, leading to fatal injuries, the news site said.

Two other policemen were shot dead in the city in September.

Eastern Province is home to many Shia Muslims, who form a minority in the conservative Sunni Muslim kingdom.

There have been shootings of security forces in the Eastern Province in the past by Shia militants angry at what they say is repression of their community.