AL-AHSA/RIYADH: Grand Mufti Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh has denounced Friday’s terrorist attack on Al-Ridha Mosque in Mahasin district of Al-Ahsa province, even as sources said that a third suspect may have escaped.

Four people were killed and 36 injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up and his accomplice opened fire when alert security men stopped them at the gate of the mosque during the congregational prayers.

Describing the attack as a shameful act, Al-Asheikh said: “It reflects their criminal aims to break up the nation, causing damage on earth, spreading terror in the hearts of Muslims. And these people are misleading others who are on the right path. Actually they have no religion.”

He said Saudi Arabia is guided by the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. “As such, the country will not be harmed by such criminal acts committed by these deviants.”

Al-Asheikh warned the youth against these deviants and not to be misled by their false propaganda killing themselves and others in the house of Allah the Almighty.

The 27-year arrested terrorist, who sustained major injuries after being thrashed by worshippers, was taken to a hospital in the province amid tight security. The wounded terrorist was carrying a suicide belt and grenades.

Both masked bombers were wearing sportive costumes and it is likely that a vehicle brought them to the site, sources said.

More than 200 worshippers were in the mosque at the time of the attack. The first victim was a seven-year-old boy who was shot in the hand, leg and back and was taken to hospital, the sources said. “The other terrorist was seized after his gun ran out of ammunition.”

The sources suggested that there may be a third terrorist who escaped to a nearby house, in view of reports indicating a machine gun was found at the scene of the crime.

Explosives expert Ali Hassan Al-Rashed said shrapnel flew as far as 30 meters from the site of the blast and reached neighboring houses.

An eyewitness said that the attack began at 12:10 p.m. and some worshippers inside the mosque closed the main door after hearing the sound of firing outside. “There was a power failure soon after the explosion.”