The Ministry of Interior has made it cear that it will deal with any criminal act in Al-Awamiya in the Qatif Governorate, east of the Kingdom, just as it would deal with any act of terrorism.

The ministry described the happenings in the town as “terror crimes” that stem from deviant ideology which only serve foreign goals.

In a statement, Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki, spokesman of the Interior Ministry, said that at about 9 p.m. last Sunday, several policemen who were standing in front of the Al-Awamiya police station just before starting their work shift came under a hail of bullets from one of the neighboring farms. The gunfire resulted in injuries to three policemen who were taken to hospital for treatment. The condition of one of them is reported to be critical.

The police immediately launched an investigation into the incident.

The spokesman said that such terror attacks are in themselves signs of weakness and cowardice, and such acts will only make the security forces even more determined to discharge their duties in maintaining security and safety of citizens, besides combating such terror acts.

Al-Turki said the random shooting in the town was meant to kill innocent citizens, and policemen who happen to be in their locations to assume their duty in maintaining the peace. “This is a terrorist act and we will deal with it accordingly,” he said.

Commenting on the possibility of foreign elements being behind the act of violence in Al-Awamiya, Al-Turki said: “Such acts stem from deviant ideology that only serve the goals and objectives of foreign parties that seek to raise sedition in the Kingdom.”

Prince Saud bin Naif, governor of the Eastern Province, said terrorism and terrorists emerge from time to time in different parts of the country. “However, our efficient security forces are determined to face and fight them,” he asserted.

“Custodian of the Two Holy Mosque King Abdullah has repeatedly said on many occasions that our country is being targeted. But we will fight with full force, everywhere and under any situation to root out such acts that seek to destroy our country and its valuable assets. Our country will stand firmly against any party that has the intention of meddling in its stability, or threatening the security and safety of its citizens,” the governor said.