Crown Prince visits wounded security officers in hospital

Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, on Sunday visited security personnel who were wounded in an operation that foiled a terror plot targeting the Grand Mosque in Makkah on Friday.

Prince Muhammad, who was appointed Crown Prince last week, visited the wounded officers at the Security Forces Hospital in Makkah Sunday morning on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr. He also visited one of the injured foreign pilgrims.

Five members of the security forces were slightly hurt when a terrorist blew himself up after he was surrounded in a three-story building in Ajyad Al-Masafi neighborhood of central Makkah early Friday. A total of six foreigners were also injured.

Security forces said the terror operation was planned by three cells, two based in Makkah and the third in Jeddah. The foiled attack targeted worshippers in the Grand Mosque.

The Crown Prince, while sharing the joy of the Eid Al-Fitr with the wounded officers, said he was proud of the sacrifices and courage of the security forces in protecting the two holy mosques.

For their part, the wounded officers said they and their colleagues were honored by the opportunity to maintain the security of the holy lands. They reiterated their determination and continued vigilance to protect the Holy Mosque from the plots of terrorists that want to disturb its security.

The Crown Prince was accompanied by Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz Bin Saud Bin Naif, Commander of Special Emergency Forces, Lt. Gen. Khalid Bin Qarar Al-Harbi and a number of officials. — SG/SPA