RIYADH: Saudi security forces shot dead a suspected Al-Qaeda militant dressed as a woman and arrested another after one of them opened fire at security men at at Al-Muthallath Checkpoint in Wadi Al-Dawasir, Friday, the Interior Ministry said. One of the two men, who was disguised as a woman, opened fire after their car was stopped at the checkpoint in the central town of Wadi Al-Dawasir, southwest of the capital Riyadh, said Mansour Al-Turki, the Ministry's Security spokesman. The suspects were driving a black Toyota Corolla. When the car approached the checkpoint and security officials asked for asked for ID papers, the passenger stepped out of the car, took out a pistol and started shooting at the security men, who returned fire, Al-Turki said. The passenger was wounded and fell on the ground. His companion was arrested and taken to Kamdah Police Station in Wadi Al-Dawasir. The wounded man was rushed to Al-Sulayyil Governorate Hospital where he died on arrival. It was discovered later that both men are Saudi nationals and were sought by the authorities. Computers were found in their possession. “We have a strong suspicion it is Al-Qaeda, but we are still trying to identify the dead man and questioning the detained suspect,” the spokesman said. “Thanks to Allah, none of the security men were injured and the incident is still being followed up by the security agencies. A subsequent statement would be issued when more details are available,” said Al-Turki in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency. Saudi security forces have stepped up their campaign against Al-Qaeda after the Yemeni and Saudi militant wings merged in 2009 into a regional organization, which claimed responsibility for the failed bombing of a U.S.-bound passenger plane last Christmas. In November, Saudi Arabia said it had captured 149 al Qaeda militants over several months, who were raising money and recruiting members to carry out attacks in the kingdom, the world's top oil exporter. A wide counter-terrorism drive halted a violent Al-Qaeda campaign in Saudi Arabia which lasted from 2003 to 2006.
