Manama – Bahrain’s Prime Minister, Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, said investigations were underway into the armed attack against Jau prison, south of the capital Manama, on Sunday.

Terrorists armed with automatic rifles and pistols were involved in an attack on the Reformation and Rehabilitation Centre (Jau) at approximately 5:30 am on Sunday. Ten inmates, all convicted in previous terrorist cases, escaped the prison.

Ministry of Interior Affairs said the attack led to the death of a policeman, Abdulsalam Saif Ahmed and to the injury of another during the attack.

Prince Khalifa stressed government’s firm determination to face such terrorist crimes and prevent their reoccurrence by strengthening the Kingdom’s security and stability.

In Riyadh, an official source at the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the armed attack against Jau prison, which led to the killing of one security officer.

The source reiterated Saudi Arabia’s solidarity with Bahrain against terrorism and extremism and whatever mars the country’s stability, territorial integrity and safety of people.

Meanwhile, the Bahraini Interior Ministry said in a Twitter message that Iran’s support was evident behind the attack on “Jau prison”.

Reacting to an Iranian TV channel, the Interior Ministry said that it is “evidence of the Iranian direct support to the terror acts.”

Referring to the TV channel Ahl Al Bayt, which rejoiced over the death of the serviceman while performing his duty, the Interior Ministry said that it reflects the Iranian persistence to interfere in the internal affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Arab States of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) strongly condemned the armed attack against the reform and rehabilitation center in Bahrain.

GCC Secretary General Abdullatif Al-Zayani stressed that the GCC’s member states strongly condemned the armed attack as a heinous terrorist act, and expressed support for Bahrain in protecting its security and maintaining the safety of its citizens.