CAIRO, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian security forces on Wednesday killed a member of Hasm terrorist group who was accused of involvement in several terror operations including killing five policemen, official MENA news agency reported.
An Interior Ministry statement indicated that the move came within the framework of efforts for hunting down elements of the armed wing of the Muslim Brotherhood group and protecting the homeland.
The security apparatus received a tip-off that Ahmed Mohamed Omar Swelim, who was involved in several terrorist attacks including the murder of non-commissioned police officer Diab Mohamed last year, was hiding in a hired apartment in Cairo's al Marg district.
The security forces stormed the hideout and the terrorist started to fire at the force. He was killed in the shootout, according to the statement.
The deceased was also accused of involvement in killing several other policemen, added the statement.
The force found in the apartment an automatic rifle, a gun and large quantities of ammunition.
Egypt has been facing a rising wave of terrorist activities following the military removal of former Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 in response to mass protests against his one-year rule and his now-outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group.
Terror attacks had been centered in restive North Sinai before they prevailed nationwide, killing hundreds of policemen and soldiers over the past few years.
Security raids in Egypt killed hundreds of militants and arrested a similar number of suspects as part of the country's anti-terror war declared by President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi.
