Updated

Security officials say a Yemeni border guard has shot and killed three suspected militants wearing women's veils as they tried to cross into Saudi Arabia with a male driver.

Soldiers at the Hawdh area's border crossing had sent the car to a nearby police station to have policewomen check its occupants' identities.

The officials said one of the disguised men shot a soldier who had boarded the car, slightly wounded him. He immediately opened fire with an automatic rifle, killing the three and injuring the driver, who later confessed that the group had planned to attack Saudi border guards by suicide bombing.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to brief the media.