JEDDAH, 31 October 2005 — Saudi security forces have launched a manhunt for two gunmen who killed a policeman patrolling in Makkah overnight, a security source said yesterday.
The shooting took place at a time when more than 1.5 million Muslim faithful were gathered in the holy city to take part in prayers at the Grand Mosque during Ramadan.
The two assailants opened fire on a police patrol, which had flagged down their car for a routine check, the source said. He identified the slain police officer as Mohamed Al-Zahrani, who was shot in the head.
The victim was rushed to hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. The other officer was unscathed but the attackers fled, the source added.
Interior Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki confirmed the incident, which took place in Um Al-Joud on the old Makkah-Jeddah road about 7 km from the Haram Mosque.
“A policeman was the target of an attack yesterday evening in Makkah while he was carrying out his duty in the service of the faithful,” he said.
