Bahraini terror suspect killed in Qatif

Manama : A Bahraini terror suspect who is among the most wanted criminals in Saudi Arabia was killed in a security operation in Qatif on Friday.

Saudi police confirmed the death of Hassan Mahmoud along with several other wanted terrorists in a shootout in Awamiya village in Qatif.

He was included in a list of the most wanted criminals issued by the Saudi authorities last year, along with eight other suspects.

Cash rewards of up to SR7 million (BD700, 000) were offered by Saudi police for information leading to Mahmoud and the other suspects.

Saudi media reported yesterday that Mahmoud and others, including two of the same list, were killed in a shootout that began during a police raid.

The Bahraini authorities announced last November that Mahmoud was involved in several terror plots and attacks in the neighbouring Kingdom and that he had left Bahrain decades back.

Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science General Director Colonel Abddulaziz Al Rumaihi explained in a statement issued back then that Mahmoud was born in Syria to a Bahraini father and Saudi mother and that he has consistently participated in rioting in the Qatif region in Saudi Arabia.

He confirmed that the authorities here issued arrest warrants for Mahmoud and the other eight suspects at Bahrain’s ports as part of the Ministry’s counter-terrorism strategy that protects lives, property, security and general safety.

“Mahmoud has two brothers who have taken part in terrorist acts. One of them was killed in crossfire with the Saudi police. Their father was deported from Saudi Arabia and was banned from re-entering the country,” the official added.