CAIRO: Two men, allegedly belong to the militant group Ajnad Misr (Soldiers of Egypt), were killed Monday in confrontation with police forces in an apartment in a Giza suburb, Youm7 reported.
The jihadists rented an apartment located in Faisal Street two months ago and used it to manufacture explosives, security source told Youm7.
They opened fire and threw a grenade at police forces, the source said, adding that three explosive devices and three machine guns were found in the apartment.
Online post behind detection
According to the sources, the two men had posted an online statement from an internet café in Faisal Street before security forces identified the alleged jihadists and investigated rented apartments in the area. The Egyptian police have instructed workers at cyber cafes across the country to verify and register the personal data of customers.
This is not the first time the Egyptian police have killed alleged militants in a residential apartment reported to the police as a hideout for militants.
On July 1, police forces have killed nine Muslim Brotherhood members in an apartment in Giza’s 6 October city after they opened fire on the forces, according to a Ministry of Interior statement. The ministry said it had received intelligence information the group was planning to carry out “terrorist attacks.”
The suspected militants were senior aids to their late leader Hammam Ateya, who was killed in April in an apartment in Tawabek, Giza, the source said. Praising Ateya’s “bravery,” the group announced it replaced him with a new leader codenamed Ezz el-Din el-Masry.
Slain “jihadists” complicit in high-profile attacks
The two men were complicit in the murder of Brigadier General Tarek al-Mergawy, who was killed by an explosive device outside Cairo University in April 2014. They were also involved in planting an explosive device outside Talbiya police station in Giza, killing Captain Diaa Fotouh while attempting to neutralize a bomb in January 2015, security source told Youm7.
Security officials told AFP the two suspects could also be implicated in the bombing of the Italian consulate July 11, which was claimed by the Islamic State group.
Ajnad Misr revealed itself in January, but in its second statement Jan. 24, it claimed responsibility for attacks in November 2013. Ajnad Misr “dedicated” its campaign for “every mother” who lost her children because they were killed or jailed by the Egyptian government.
The group is designated a “terrorist group” by Egypt, the U.S. and a number of Gulf States. It was formed in the aftermath of the 2013 ouster of President Mohamed Morsi and has claimed responsibility for a number of deadly and high-profile attacks mostly in Cairo.