RIYADH: Security forces shot dead a wanted suspected militant early on Tuesday after he killed his own father who had reported him to the authorities, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.

“At 1 a.m. on Tuesday (2300 GMT on Monday), while security men were taking measures to apprehend a fugitive, accompanied by the man's father, he came out of his house and fired with an automatic weapon, killing his father and wounding two security men,” it said.

The security forces fired back, killing the man, according to the statement, which said that the authorities were investigating the incident but gave no further details.

Sabq.org news website said the incident took place in the southern city of Khamis Mushait.

Authorities have detained hundreds of suspected militants over the past year.