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Egyptian security forces kill gunman believed to be behind shooting near St. Catherine’s Monastery

April 20, 2017 at 10:27 am

Egyptian security forces have killed a gunman suspected of being involved in the attack near St. Catherine’s Monastery in southern Sinai, reports Reuters.

Daesh claimed responsibility for the attack, which took place on Tuesday. Gunmen opened fire on a police checkpoint near the entrance of the church and killed one policeman and injured four other people.

Read: Coptic Bishop says state of emergency not enough to protect Egypt’s Copts

St. Catherine’s Monastery is a UNESCO world heritage site and is visited by thousands of tourists and pilgrims every year.

Security forces and local Bedouins followed the attackers escape route before killing him in a shoot-out. The ministry has said police found an automatic weapon and ammunition.

One week ago Daesh carried out twin bomb attacks on two churches in Egypt on Palm Sunday, killing 45 people. Despite escalating attacks by Daesh in Egypt, Pope Francis is set to visit the country in 10 days.