Two policemen were killed by unidentified gunmen early Tuesday as they were guarding a church in Minya, Upper Egypt, Al Bawaba News reported. A security source said masked gunmen shot dead the two policemen in front of the Virgin Mary Church in Minya, and took off. Security forces moved to the location of the incident to comb the area for suspects. An ambulance was dispatched to provide medical treatment, but the guards died on the spot. The ministry of Interior had announced strict security measures on churches across the nation, amid celebrations of the Orthodox Christmas January 7. Since the ouster of former president Mohamed Morsi, extremists escalated their terrorist attacks against churches, especially in Upper Egypt.
