( CNN ) -- The would-be assassin of Saudi Arabia 's Prince Mohammed bin Nayef hid his bomb in his underwear , apparently believing that cultural taboos would prevent a search in that part of his body , according to a Saudi government official close to the investigation . Saudi Arabia 's Prince Mohammed bin Nayef , head of counterterrorism , was slightly injured in August . The prince was slightly injured when the bomb exploded in the August attack . Several news reports this week have said the assailant hid the bomb inside his rectum , but according to the Saudi official , the government assessment discounted those reports , based on various factors . Among them : When the bomb went off there was a flash of light , suggesting that the bomb was not hidden inside the assassin 's body . Also , doctors consulted by the government judged that the toxicity of the plastic explosives would make them hard to hold for many hours inside the rectum , and the environment in this area of the body would make detonation `` difficult , '' according to the Saudi official close to the investigation . The Saudis said they think the bomb weighed 100 grams and was made with a plastic explosive , to avoid detection by metal detectors through which the would-be assassin had to pass before he was allowed to meet with the prince . The official said the explosive was PETN , which was used by the so-called shoe bomber Richard Reid , who attempted to blow up an American Airlines flight between Paris , France , and Miami , Florida , in December 2001 . The Saudis are exploring the possibility that the prince 's assailant exploded the device using a detonator that used a chemical fuse , which would not be detected by a metal detector . The would-be assassin -- a Saudi member of al Qaeda who had fled to Yemen , identified as Abdullah Hassan al Asiri -- posed as a member of the terror group willing to surrender personally to Prince Nayef . Prince Nayef is responsible for overseeing the kingdom 's terrorist rehabilitation program , and some two dozen important members of al Qaeda previously have surrendered to him in person , according to the Saudi government official . During the month of Ramadan , traditionally a time of repentance in the Muslim world , al Asiri gained an audience with the prince at his private residence in Jeddah , presenting himself as someone who could also persuade other militants to surrender . Under the cover of pretending that he was reaching out to other militants to surrender , al Asiri briefly called other members of al Qaeda to tell them that he was standing by Prince Nayef . After finishing the call , the bomb blew up , killing al Asiri but only slightly injuring the prince , who was a few feet away from his would-be assassin . The Saudi government official characterized the prince 's narrow escape as a `` miracle . ''
Source : Man hid bomb in chest , believing he would n't be searched there . Saudis say that bomber hid explosive in rectum . Saudis say bomber used the explosive to pass through metal plate .