REPORT: Egypt police storm area near Cairo, one killed

             
An Egyptian police officer was shot dead on Thursday, state media reported, in clashes on the outskirts of Cairo as security forces tried to reassert control over an area where 11 policemen were killed in a militant attack last month.              

Police and soldiers entered the town of Kerdasa at daybreak in the second operation this week to try to restore control over Islamist-dominated areas where hostility to the authorities has grown since the army deposed President Mohamed Morsi on July 3.              

Security sources said the forces had seized dozens of weapons, including rocket propelled grenades. The police officer, a general, was killed in an exchange of gunfire on the outskirts of the town. Fifteen people had been arrested.            

State television reported that security forces used tear gas and the state news agency said army helicopters hovered overhead. Police were hunting 140 wanted people, the Interior Ministry spokesman told state media.            

"The security forces will not retreat until (Kerdasa) is cleansed of all terrorist and criminal nests," said the spokesman, Hany Abdel Latif.             

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

There had been little or no sign of state authority in Kerdasah since an Aug. 14 attack on its police station, which was hit with rocket propelled grenades and torched as police broke up protests by Morsi supporters in Cairo.              

Churches were also attacked.              

Also on Thursday, the cabinet said in an emailed statement that Egypt will shorten its curfew as of Saturday to start at midnight rather than 11 p.m.

The government imposed the curfew on Aug. 14 after it broke up two sit-ins by supporters of former Islamist President Mohamed Morsi, killing hundreds. Morsi was toppled by the army on July 3 following mass protests against his rule.             

The curfew will be lifted at 5 a.m. rather than 6 a.m. On Fridays, traditionally a day of protest, it will continue to start at 7 p.m., the statement said.


REUTERS


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