RIYADH: A man wanted by Saudi authorities has been found dead after a police raid and exchange of gunfire in a Shia town, the interior ministry said on Thursday.

The dead man, Abdul-Rahim al-Faraj, and his brother Majid al-Faraj were wanted for allegedly shooting at security forces, some of whom were killed, the ministry said.

They were also sought for attacking citizens and public property, and for armed robbery.

Police came under fire on Wednesday night while searching the suspects’ home in the Eastern Province town of Awamiya, a ministry statement said.

Officers returned fire during the incident which coincided with iftar, when Muslims break their fast during Ramazan.

No police or bystanders were hurt during the gunfight, but a local clinic later notified security officers that it was in possession of the body of a man who died from a gunshot.

Authorities were able to identify the corpse as that of Abdul-Rahim al-Faraj.

Police seized firearms and ammunition from the suspects’ home and were continuing to hunt for Faraj’s brother Majid.

Eastern Province is home to most of Saudi Arabia’s Shias, who have long complained of marginalisation in the Sunni-dominated kingdom.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2016