A two-year-old Saudi child and a Pakistani national were killed and 10 others were injured when gunmen opened fire on workers and passersby at a development project in the Masoura district, Al-Awamiyah, Qatif, Eastern Province on May 10. Giving details of the terror attack Saturday, a spokesman for the Ministry of the Interior said that the laborers were working on a project involving demolition of old, abandoned houses when they came under heavy fire and their equipment hit with explosives. The aim of the assailants was to disrupt the project as the terrorists were using these abandoned houses as safe havens for their criminal activities. They were used to hold kidnapped citizens and religious scholars as well as for drug, alcohol and arms trafficking. The spokesman said when security forces arrived at the scene, the terrorists began firing indiscriminately which resulted in the casualties. Of the 10 injured, six were Saudi nationals, one of them in a critical condition, two Pakistanis, one Sudanese, and an Indian, also reported to be in a critical condition. Four security men were slightly injured. The Interior Ministry said the security forces will continue to enforce public order at the site to ensure continuation of the project. The Interior Ministry said such terrorist acts fueled by elements abroad will not hinder efforts to develop the area, and the Kingdom's development march. The ministry commended the people of Al-Awamiyah for cooperating with the security men and the project teams. It urged everyone to stay away from the area and the roads leading to it for their own safety. It also urged the terrorists and other wanted people to give themselves up.
