Saudi officer killed by bomb blast in Qatif province

RIYADH, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Saudi interior ministry announced on Monday that one of its patrol was targeted in bomb blast that killed an officer and injured two policemen in Qatif region in the Eastern Province, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The attack took place at 11:30 p.m. local time (2030 GMT) on Sunday while the patrol was deployed in al-Masora neighborhood. The ministry described the condition of the two injured as stable, and an investigation was launched.

Violence in Qatif has escalated after the demolishing of deserted houses that were the hideouts of fugitives, who are behind rioting and vandalism in the region.