Suicide attack kills four in Saudi city

The state Al Ekhbariya news channel quoted an interior ministry spokesman as saying four people died and 18 wounded


Afp January 29, 2016
PHOTO: AFP

RIYADH:


A suicide bomber attacked a mosque in eastern Saudi Arabia during Friday prayers, killing four people before worshippers disarmed and tied up his accomplice who had fired on them.


The state Al Ekhbariya news channel quoted an interior ministry spokesman as saying four people died and 18 were wounded.

An initial ministry toll said two people were killed and seven hurt in the attack at Shia mosque in Mahasen, a neighbourhood in the eastern Ahsa region.

"We started to pray, and then we were surprised to hear shooting," said Mohammad bin Salman al-Ahmadi, 25, who was slightly injured in the attack.

"We rushed and closed the doors. After that they shot at the door trying to break in. The suicide bomber blew himself up and the door flew open."

Power inside went out, leaving the mosque in darkness and filled with smoke as a second attacker "randomly" shot at worshippers, who tried to hide, Ahmadi said.

"Eventually the worshippers attacked him and took away his gun and took off his suicide belt. We tied him up using our 'shemaghs' and held him till police came," he said, referring to a traditional cloth head covering.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 30th,  2016.

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