Dubai: Five suspected terrorists and an equal number of security personnel were killed in an overnight raid on an apartment in the holy city of Mecca, which also led to the arrest of seven "wanted" men, including one wearing a suicide bomb belt.

Five other security officers were injured in the fighting that started when a group of men in a car ignored police orders to stop and took refuge in a building in Haldiya district, Arabic daily 'Okaz' reported.

Saudi troops and security agents evacuated the building and stormed the apartment where the suspects were holed up, the report said adding a large cache of arms and explosives, was found and one of the arrested persons was wearing a suicide bomber's belt.

The dead included a captain in the security forces while a Lieutenant-Colonel and three Sergeants were among the injured.

'Okaz' said those killed or arrested were later identified as "wanted terrorists" but did not divulge their nationalities.

However, the London-based Opposition Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia (MIRA) citing "diverse sources" in Saudi Arabia said eight security officers and three civilians were killed in the clash.

According to MIRA, large forces of police were sent to the area and carried out wide-scale searches.

It was not clear whether the suspects were linked to the May 12 suicide bomb attacks on residential compounds in Riyadh, which left 35 people dead.

Interior Minister Prince Nayef on June 14 said five more suspects were detained in connection with the blasts.

PTI