Wednesday, April 6 2005 10:06 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Riyadh: At least 14 militants, including a number of most-wanted al-Qaeda suspects, have been killed in three days of fighting with Saudi security forces in the north of the Kingdom, officials said yesterday (Apr 5, 2005).

The Interior Ministry said 14 members of the "deviant group" - official terminology for al-Qaeda suspects - had been confirmed killed in the clashes at AL-Rass in Al-Qassim region, considered a haven for Islamist militants.

Security forces had "successfully completed their tasks" at the site, about 320 kilometres north of Riyadh, the Ministry said, indicating the confrontation was over but that the toll could rise further.

A security source earlier told agencies that up to 18 militants were killed in the clashes, which began on Sunday (Apr 3, 2005).

Another five militants were wounded and arrested, while a sixth surrendered, the Interior Ministry said in a statement carried by official media. It added that 14 security men were wounded.

"Up to 18 gunmen have been killed, including some on the (most wanted) list," the security source said of the deadliest clashes so far in a two-year-old wave of Islamist violence.

Interior Ministry spokesman Brigadier Mansur al-Turki told agencies that the gun battle had ended but security forces were still combing the area to evacuate casualties and collect evidence.

Security sources at the scene said security forces stormed the last house inside which militants were barricaded after the gunmen had been moving from house to house.