M A I N   N E W S

Eight Indians among 22 killed in Saudi attacks

Dubai, May 30
Commandos today ended a 25-hour hostage drama, storming a luxury housing complex in the Saudi Arabian oil city of Al Khobar, freeing over 50 persons held captive by militants who carried out twin attacks, killing 22 persons, including eight Indians.

While Lawrence Gregory Monice from Mangalore, Karnataka, one of the eight Indians, was killed in the crossfire between Saudi security forces and the militants, the other Indian nationals were gunned down by Al-Qaida operatives, sources in Saudi Arabia said.

The other Indians, mostly employees of Saudi maintainance company Saad Corporation residing in the Oasis Housing Complex, were identified as 45-year-old P.K. Pradeep Kumar (Kerala), J.N. Jose (Kerala), Charles Clethens Carlos, John Fernando (Goa), Suresh Kumar and J. Ram (both from Rajasthan) and Vikram (Bihar), the sources said. — PTI