RIYADH: Security agencies in the Eastern Province are looking for four masked men who killed a police guard at the Qatif police station at 2:45 a.m. on Tuesday.

Cpl. Abdulsalam Barjess Sayyah Al-Anzi succumbed to his injuries before he could be rushed to the nearest hospital. The police station came under heavy gunfire from the attackers traveling in a car, said a police spokesman.

Sources believe those who killed the corporal were six from the 23 wanted terrorists in Qatif, namely Ramzi Mohammad Abdullah Aal Jamal, Salman Ali Salman Aal Faraj, Ali Hussien Ahmad Aal Zayed, Fadel Hussien Abdullah Alsafwani, Mohammad Hussien Aal Zayed and Mohammad Eissa Saleh Aal Labad.

Quoting sources, a media report said it is believed that these killers were also behind the terror attacks in Awamiya because the pattern was similar in all their previous attacks.

The security forces reduced the 23-person wanted list to six who are at large.

Meanwhile, the killing has sparked a spate of criticism on social media with commenters saying that some unscrupulous elements are trying to disrupt national unity and security of the country.

Qatif residents pointed out that these criminal acts are not sanctioned by religion. Criminals must be brought to book and punished, they said.