Saudi police killed a top spiritual guide for the Saudi wing of al Qaeda in a shootout in Riyadh today, security sources said.
"Abdullah al-Roshood was killed by security forces today in eastern Riyadh," one source said, adding his death would deal a substantial blow to al Qaeda's ideological hierarchy in the kingdom.
The slain militant was named as Abdullah al-Roshood, and Saudi security services said he was on a list of 26 most wanted suspects, and said his death was a hefty blow to the ideological hierarchy of al Qaeda in the world's biggest oil exporter.
The Interior Ministry said a policeman was also killed in the gun battle, the first militant violence since Saudi forces killed the leader of al Qaeda in the kingdom 12 days ago. Saudi Arabia has been battling militants trying to topple the country's pro-US monarchy for more than a year.
The ministry statement said the afternoon gun battle broke out after police spotted a group of militants leaving a house carrying weapons. A chase ensued and police were still tracking down a number of other suspects.
"A police search of the militant's den showed that it was a factory for explosives," it added.
Al Arabiya television, which is Saudi-owned, said several people were also arrested.