Egypt: General Killed As Police Storm Town

19 September 2013

State media reported that an Egyptian police officer was shot dead, according to Reuters, in fighting outside Cairo. Security forces were reportedly trying to regain control over an Islamist-dominated area where 11 police officers were killed in a militant attack in August.

Reuters reports that police and soldiers entered the town of Kerdasa at daybreak, using tear gas and army helicopters. Security sources reportedly said the forces had seized dozens of weapons, including rocket propelled grenades. The general was killed in an exchange of gunfire on the outskirts of the town. Police have arrested 15 people and are hunting 140 wanted people, according to the interior ministry.

Footage broadcast by the privately-owned Mihwar TV channel showed armoured personnel carriers, police and soldiers in the streets.

AllAfrica publishes around 500 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.