Riyadh: Three members of the Saudi security forces were shot dead by suspected extremists they were hunting in Southern Riyadh on August 12, a security official said.

The official, who requested anonymity, said the suspected Islamist militants opened fire on members of the special security forces who besieged villas in the city's Al-Suwaidi district.

Exchanges of fire were heard at the site after a brief lull in the shootout, and a helicopter buzzed overhead.

The hunt for the militants had begun on August 11 night, residents said.