"Saudi officers Col. Abdul Jaleel Shari Al-Otaibi and Sgt. Barrak bin Ali Al-Harithy were killed and Sgt. Aboud bin Falih Al-Aklabi was injured when a trespasser in a jeep at Al-Wadeeah center on the border fired at the guards when they approached him. The man tried to cross the metal and mud barriers to Yemen," spokesman of the Interior Ministry Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki told Arab News.

The man was killed in the ensuing exchange of fire with the guards, he added.

Arab News has learned from a private source that the bodies of the two officers are in hospital and will be handed over to relatives for burial. Colleagues of the two said the officers were marked with leadership qualities and had excellent relations with others.

The injured soldier is receiving treatment for bullet wounds.