1 policeman killed in attack on St Catherine checkpoint

[DJKeefy]

One policeman killed, 4 injured in attack on Egypt's St Catherine security checkpoint.

A policeman was killed and four others were injured at Mount Catherine's security checkpoint late Tuesday in South Sinai after an exchange of fire with unknown militants, Egypt’s ministry of interior said.

According to a statement issued by the ministry, a group of militants opened fire on the checkpoint on a road leading up to the Saint Catherine monastery on top of the mountain.

"The police forces exchanged fire with the militants until they gained control and forced the militants to flee," the statement added.

Egypt’s health ministry spokesman Khaled Megahed told Ahram Online the four injured policemen were transferred to Sharm El-Sheikh's international hospital. The body of the policeman who was killed was transferred to St. Catherine hospital.

The attack on the security checkpoint near the Saint Catherine monastery, which is one of the oldest Christian monasteries and the main tourist attraction in South Sinai, comes two weeks after the bombings of Orthodox Churches in Alexandria and Tanta killed over 45 people on Palm Sunday.

IS-affiliated militant group in Egypt claimed responsibility for the twin attacks.

Source: http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/265205.aspx

[Dusak]

The police and army personnel must be nervous wrecks when standing guard at any position in this powder keg of an area.

[carrie]

Just had an email from HM Gov saying that the warning about the added threat to Coptic Christians has now been lifted. So they have nothing to worry about anymore

[Dusak]

Thank god for that, it was a close call. Wonder what their next targets will be when they read this 'thou shall obey advice.'