Islamists on Thursday attacked a police checkpoint in the holy city of Mecca, killing two policemen and sparking fire exchanges, a security official and witnesses said.
A group of armed men, seeking to enter Mecca, opened fire on the checkpoint, eight kilometres from the mosque surrounding the Kaaba, Islam's holiest site, said the official, according to The AP.
In the gun battle that ensued, two police agents and two attackers were killed, several were injured, and one of the attackers was injured and arrested, the official in Mecca said.
Some of the attackers fled into a nearby building, and security forces moved into the area, he added.
