Egypt s interior ministry revealed on Sunday the identity of a suicide bomber involved in a failed attack on a church in Qalioubiya governorate on Saturday, and has arrested six others involved in the case, including two women.
The attacker has been identified as 29-year-old Omar Mostafa, a member of a terrorist cell that has attempted to carry out a number of attacks, including the one on the Virgin Mary Church in Qalioubiya s Mostord on Saturday.
Mostafa, who was wearing an explosive belt, tried to infiltrate worshippers gathered at the church for a service commemorating the annual Fast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which began on 7 August and concludes on 22 August.
Due to the heavy security presence, Mostafa s explosives detonated before he could enter the church, killing the suspect in the process.
According to the ministry s statement, police found at Mostafa s apartment a number of weapons and ammunition, as well as cash and documents on manufacturing explosives.
The six other suspects were found with a number of explosives and ammunition in their apartments.
According to investigations, Mostafa met with two of the suspects near the church before the attack.
Egypt s police have been bolstering security at churches nationwide to ensure the safety of Christian worshippers, who have been the target of a number of terrorist attacks in recent years.
