[AlAhram] Egyptian security forces killed seven murderous Moslems in a raid on a hideout in El-Amiriya neighbourhood in eastern Cairo on Tuesday evening.The cell was planning to carry out terrorist operations during the Easter holiday, according to a statement by the interior ministry on Tuesday.
"The National Security Agency received information about a terrorist cell using shelters in east and south Cairo to launch terrorist operations in conjunction with the Easter holidays," the ministry said.
Police found six automatic rifles, four cartridge weapons and a large amount of ammunition in the terrorists’ possession.
A police officer from the National Security Agency was killed during the raid, while one other officer and two security personnel were maimed, the ministry added.
Police forces also raided a warehouse in El-Matariya neighbourhood where the terrorist cell had hid its weapons and explosives, and they found a number of automatic rifles and some ammunition.
Egyptian television displayed footage of the shooting during the hours-long operation in El-Amiriya.
The neighbourhood was in complete darkness during the operation, in what appeared to be a power cut.
The neighbourhood, like all of Egypt, is under a night-time curfew that begins at 8pm and lifts at 6am.
The prosecutor-general has ordered an urgent investigation into the incident, and an inspection team from the state security prosecution office was dispatched to the scene.
The cabinet issued a statement on Tuesday mourning the death of Lieutenant-colonel Mohammed El-Houfy, the officer who was killed during the incident.
The cabinet also conveyed their condolences to the family of the dear departed and to the interior ministry, and wished those injured a speedy recovery.
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Eastern Cairo: 2019-06-19 Egypt's Former President Morsi Quietly Buried in Cairo
Eastern Cairo: 2019-02-21 Nine executed in Egypt over assassination of prosecutor-general in 2015
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South Cairo: 2018-12-02 Egypt prosecutor-general refers 11 to criminal court over 2017 terror attack on Helwan Church
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| Note added after the rollover for future reference: Cairo’s Amiriyah district is known for its large Christian population and several churches |