Saudi forces 'battle militants'

By Magdi Abdelhadi
BBC correspondent

Saudi Arabia says it is working hard to find the perpetrators

Dramatic details of a gun battle between Saudi Arabian security forces and wanted militants in the north of the country, have been published by the local media.

Two policemen and one suspect were killed in the operation on Saturday night.

According to press reports the two suspected militants fled when they were stopped for an identity check in the region of Hail, north-west of the capital, Riyadh, on Saturday night.

In the ensuing car chase, the suspects threw a grenade at a police car, killing two soldiers and injuring two others.

One of the men was killed in a subsequent gun battle, and the other gunman was captured.

List of weapons

The dead man was wanted in connection with suicide attacks on Western targets in the capital, Riyadh, last month, in which more than 30 people were killed.

Meanwhile, the Saudi authorities have published a list of names of people they say were arrested in Medina last week on suspicion of planning terrorist acts.

The authorities have also published a list of weapons, ammunition and explosives seized in the raids on their hideouts.

Ever since the attacks on Western targets in Riyadh last month, the Saudi authorities have been keen on publicising such operations.

Apparently the aim is to dispel accusations, mainly from Washington, that Saudi Arabia has not done enough to tackle Islamic militants