According to the state news agency SPA, Saudi troops were on patrol duty in Awamiyah when they were hit by heavy gunfire on Thursday night.
"The Eastern Province police media spokesman said a security patrol came under heavy fire from an unknown source while carrying out their work in Awamiyah after the sunset prayer on Thursday, and dealt with it, which required returning fire," the agency said.
No group has claimed responsibility for the shooting. Saudi authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
Saudi Arabia’s east has been the scene of mass anti-government protests since last year with demonstrators demanding justice and release of political prisoners. Protest rallies are mostly held in Qatif and Awamiyah but despite a violent crackdown on demonstrations, the protests are now spreading across the country.
Protesters also want an end to economic and religious discrimination against the oil-rich region. Several demonstrators have been killed and dozens of activists have been arrested since the beginning of protests in the region.
On February 23, protest rallies were held across the province to demand the prosecution of those who opened fire on demonstrators one week earlier. Saudi security forces broke up the rallies using force and arrested several demonstrators.
Riyadh has intensified its crackdown on protesters since the beginning of 2012.
