A Saudi police major was killed and two members of the security forces wounded when an explosive device went off during a patrol in Qatif province, the Interior Ministry said on Monday.

The ministry spokesman said in a statement carried by the state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA) that the blast had occurred late Sunday evening in the Masoura district.

Major Tareq al-Alaqi was killed and two policemen, who are in stable condition, were injured, the spokesman said.

He added that the security forces are investigating the terrorist crime.