Saudi forces kill wanted fugitives in security operation in Qatif

Saudi Arabian forces have killed a number of wanted fugitives in a security operation in Qatif, Eastern region, Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

A spokesman for the Presidency of the State Security said in a statement that it eliminated a terrorist cell composed of 8 people.

The statement said security authorities were able to uncover the existence of a newly-formed terrorist cell which was planning an attack on "vital installations" and its center of operations in a residential apartment in the Snab neighborhood of Tarot in the Qatif province.

Forces cordoned off the area at 10am local time on Saturday while ordering those inside to surrender. They failed to comply and opened fire on security officials, which led to security officials eliminating the assailants.

Investigations are still ongoing.

On April 21, Saudi authorities foiled an attempted terrorist attack on the General Directorate of Investigation’s Center in Al-Zulfi suburb around 250 km north of the capital Riyadh.

Earlier in April, the Presidency of State Security released names of two terrorists who were killed after targeting a checkpoint in the Eastern Province and said they were involved in past terror attacks in Al-Qatif.