The Saudi Interior Ministry said on Sunday that two policemen were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Dammam in the Eastern Province, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The shooting attack occurred on Saturday night when the policemen were patrolling a busy neighborhood in the city of Dammam, the report said, adding the two policemen died on the way to hospital.

An investigation was launched.

In August, a Yemeni, suspected to kill a policeman in Bisha in southwestern Saudi Arabia, was arrested. He confessed being a member of Islamic State militant group.