JEDDAH, 6 November 2003 — The Kingdom’s security agencies have worked out a comprehensive plan to thwart possible terrorist attacks on Saudi and foreign pilgrims in Makkah during Ramadan, say informed sources.
Security forces in different regions will be called in as part of the emergency plan, Okaz Arabic daily reported yesterday, quoting the sources.
The move comes after disclosures by Interior Minister Prince Naif that the militants who were arrested by police in Makkah’s Al-Sheraie district were apparently planning to carry out terrorist attacks on pilgrims. “The new security plan is aimed at ensuring the welfare and safety of pilgrims and facilitating their movement inside Makkah,” the sources said.
Prince Naif announced on Tuesday that police had arrested six terror suspects following Monday’s raid in the Al-Sheraie district. Two militants were killed and a policeman was injured in the clash.
Al-Nadwah Arabic newspaper, based in Makkah, identified the dead militants as Muhammad Suleiman Al-Johani, a Saudi, and Khadim Hussein Bakhsh, a Pakistani.
The paper also identified three of the militants who were arrested following the raid as Abdullah Saad Al-Qahtani, Talal Obeid Aboud, and Hamad Humaid Al-Saaedi.
Al-Saaedi surrendered to police on Tuesday after he fled to Al-Muaisem Mountains. “He surrendered after security officers convinced him to do so. The man, who was carrying a hand grenade, had threatened to blow himself up after police besieged him,” a security source said.
“He was found exhausted after staying more than 36 hours on the mountains,” the source said.
Al-Nadwah daily also said that police found weapons including machine guns hidden on the mountain. The paper identified the police officer injured in Monday’s shootout as Capt. Nadir Abdul Rahman Al-Maliki, 28, who has been shifted to King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Jeddah for specialized treatment. The officer’s condition is satisfactory, medical sources said.
Lt. Gen. Saeed Al-Qahtani, director general of public security, meanwhile, urged security agencies to make all-out efforts to track down terrorists. He commended the efforts made by security forces in thwarting a major terrorist plot. He advised Saudi citizens to cooperate with security agencies.
