Saudi security forces have killed one of the kingdom’s most wanted Islamic militants in a raid on a Riyadh apartment, a security official said.

Abdul-Rahman Yazji, whose name is on a list of 26 top Saudi militants, is said to have been hiding in the city’s southern district of Sinaiya.

Another two fugitives named on the list are said to have died in a three-day long battle in city of al-Ras.

Saudi Arabia has been fighting an uprising by al-Qaeda-linked militants.

The unrest began two years ago with a series of attacks on government offices and compounds housing foreign workers.

The clash in al-Ras was the longest encounter between Saudi forces and the heavily-armed militants – and it led to the highest number of reported militant casualties.

Unconfirmed reports say at least 14 militants died in the operation and a number of security personnel were hurt.