Saudi policeman shot dead in second such killing in a week

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Saudi media say gunmen have shot and killed a police officer on patrol in the kingdom’s predominantly Shiite region, the second such killing of a policeman in a week.

The Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday quoted the Interior Ministry’s spokesman, Maj. Gen. Mansour al-Turki, as saying the shooting took place the previous day in the city of Qatif.

Police are still searching for the shooters.

Last week, a policeman was shot dead in his car in Qatif. And earlier this week, a Saudi teenager wanted by police was shot dead during a security raid on a neighbourhood in the town of al-Awamiya.

Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province has been targeted by the Islamic State group and has also been a flashpoint for clashes between police and Shiite residents demanding greater rights.