Wanted criminals, traffic violators, and illegal residents were netted during a “routine security operation” in Al-Salam District and Khudairah village in Buraidah, in the central region, Tuesday, authorities said. Emergency forces took part in the two-hour security sweep that saw choppers hovering over the targeted areas. The operation came a day after the government announced a list of 85 most wanted militants Monday night. The 83 Saudis and 2 Yemenis on the list were said to have fled oversees. An Interior ministry spokesman said Interpol has been alerted about the militants. Buraidah has witnessed a spate of clashes between militants and security forces in 2004 when arms and ammunition were found. Security forces sealed off entry and exit points of the area, setting up several checkpoints. In May 2004, one security officer and four suspected militants were killed in heavy exchange of fire during a raid on a militant hideout in Khudairah, south of Buraidah. In September of the same year, the Interior Ministry reported that three security officers were killed when their patrol car caught fire after being hit by gunfire while pursuing a suspect vehicle. The officers were part of a security force carrying out operations in south Buraidah too. Seven militants were arrested in the 2004 security operation.
