Policeman killed in attack in Saudi city of Taif

The officer was managing road traffic when he was stabbed to death

Saudi security control traffic on the first day of the annual Haj pilgrimage in Arafat, Saudi Arabia August 30, 2017.  REUTERS/Suhaib Salem
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A policeman was stabbed to death by two assailants in the western Saudi city of Taif, a local newspaper reported on Thursday.

Sabq, an online news agency close to the government, said that the attackers exchanged gunfire with security forces near a National Guard facility after killing the officer, who was identified as Deputy Sergeant Abdullah Mashary Al Quraishi.

“He was doing his job and managing road traffic on the Army road in the Taif district when he was stabbed by one of the assailants and was severely injured. He died as a result of his wounds,” said a source cited by Sabq.

The suspects stole the policeman’s car and service weapons before entering the military site, said the report.

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It added that one attacker sustained injuries during the incident and was arrested, while the other one managed to escape.

Sabq also reported there were more injuries among the security forces but did not provide further details.

Meanwhile, the Saudi authorities are still in pursuit of the second assailant.

The city of Taif is located in the mountains just east of the holy city of Makkah.