An official source at the Interior Ministry today gave additional details about the recent shootout between security forces and militants in the town of Ghadhi, Oyoon Al-Jawaa Governorate, Al-Qasim Region, where wanted terrorist suspects were sheltering.
The source said: “After investigations of the persons killed and arrested in Al-Qasim, and their connections to the incident in Makkah on 17/04/1424H, it has been established that the people responsible for harbouring the suspects were the following: Abdullah Hilal Al-Harbi; Mohammad Hilal Al-Harbi; Dhaifallah Hilal Al-Harbi, and Abdul-Elah Hilal Al-Harbi.
The source stated: “Using loud speakers, security officials called on the suspects to surrender, but they responded with heavy gun fire and deployment of hand grenades against the security officers. This resulted in the martyrdom of two security men: 1st Lt. Sattam Bin Ghazai Al-Mutairy and Sergeant Ali Bin Ghazi Al-Harbi. Eight security officials suffered injuries.
In the course of the shootout, six of the wanted persons were killed: Ahmed Bin Nasir Abdullah Al-Dakheel, a Saudi national, among the 19 wanted persons announced on 6/3/1424H; Karim Olayan Al-Ramthan Al-Faridi Al-Harbi, a Saudi national; Saud Aamer Suleiman Al-Qurashi, a Saudi national; Mohammad Ghazi Salim Al-Wafi Al-Harbi, a Saudi national; Isa Kamal Yousuf Khater, a Chadian national, and Isa Saleh Ali Ahmed, a Chadian national.
The above-mentioned individuals had been pursued by security forces following their involvement in the incident at Al-Khaldiya Flat in Makkah. They had been also sought for involvement in other suspect activities.
The security forces also arrested one of the wanted persons who was injured in the shootout: Ibrahim Bin Abdullah Khalaf Al-Harbi, a Saudi national.
The storming of the farmhouse in Al-Qasim led to the confiscation of 10 machine-guns; one pistol containing 43 bullets; 17 bombs made locally; a gun with 85 machine-gun bullets; 17 machine-gun magazines; 835 machine gun bullets; six mobiles with communications chips; a number of cassettes, including provocative materials to incite violence; seven knives; four bags to carry ammunition and bombs, a number of women’s dresses.
The Source noted that security officials are continuing investigations into the wanted persons, and said: “There is no choice for them but to surrender and face trial based on the Islamic Sharia.”
The Source warned that anyone who harbours or sympathises with terrorists would face severe punishment.
Source: SPA
