Riyadh  - Saudi security forces shot dead two "suspects" on Tuesday and detained a third at a checkpoint in the southern Jizan province, the al-Arabiya news channel reported.

The men had been stopped by police while travelling from Jizan to Aseer province near the border with Yemen. The men opened fire on the officers, injuring three, according to the report.

It was not clear whether the men were suspected of smuggling or terrorism.(dpa)