A traffic policeman was stabbed to death in Taif while on his duty on Al-Jaish Street in the city, the Saudi Ministry of Interior (MoI) announced. It said that the perpetrator, Abdul Aziz Sa’ud Sa’ad al-Musabi al-Maliki, was arrested after he was shot by security forces while he was attempting to escape. Two other security men were also injured. Security spokesman for the Ministry of Interior Col. Mansour al-Turki said that at around 9.15 p.m. on Wednesday Sgt. Abdullah Mishary Nayef al- Subaie was stabbed to death with a sharp knife while carrying out his duty in the southern city of Taif. The assailant tried to escape with the Traffic patrol car but was prevented by security patrols that had him surrounded, forcing him to get down from the vehicle. However, he grabbed the firearm in the Traffic patrol car, ran towards a government building and entered it while firing at the security men. Security men then were able to neutralize the gunman after he was injured during the gun battle. He was taken to the hospital for treatment where it was found that he was a previous convict. The security authorities are still investigating this treacherous, criminal and cowardly act to obtain all the details and those involved, Turki said. The Ministry of Interior stressed that this act did not take into consideration the inviolability of innocent lives nor the holy month of Ramadan. It will only increase the determination of the security authorities to repulse with all force and firmness such criminals. The Kingdom’s security men will protect the security of the nation, citizen, he added in the statement.