Police captain killed in Sinai

A policeman was killed in Sinai on Sunday after a confrontation with unidentified gunmen.

Captain Mohamed Abou Shaqra was stationed in Al-Arish and died during a gun fight with two unidentified men who tried to steal his car, according to the North Sinai Security Directorate.

A witness said one of the attackers was severely injured but managed to escape.

The police captain’s body was transferred to the morgue of Al-Arish General Hospital and prosecutors have begun an investigation.

Ministry of Interior Mohamed Ibrahim attended the funeral prayer but left early due to the increasing anger of the mourners who demanded the removal of President Mohamed Morsi, according to state-run MENA.

“People are upset and outraged because they do not feel the presence of the state or the security apparatus,” said Shady Saad, the head of the Al-Dostour Party in North Sinai.

This incident “shows that the Muslim Brotherhood is turning Sinai into a terrorist safe haven,” he added.

Abou Shaqra had been active in several anti-terrorism operations, including the liberation of soldiers kidnapped last month and the raiding of a terrorist cell in Nasr City, according to state-owned Al-Ahram.