Unidentified gunmen opened fire on a police vehicle on Sunday in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, injuring three police personnel, state news agency MENA reported. The police vehicle was travelling in the North Sinai border town of Al-Arish when it was fired upon with live ammunition by a number of unidentified gunmen, injuring Osama El-Atar and Hatem Nabil, both captains, and conscript Shokry Mohamed, who was driving. The assailants fled from the scene afterwards, security sources told MENA. The three injured policemen have been transported to a hospital for treatment, while an investigation has been opened into the attackers and their vehicle. In statements last Thursday to mark the final withdrawal of Israeli forces from Sinai in 1982, Major General Mohamed El-Shahat, commander of Egypt's Second Army, said that the Egyptian military was in complete control of the Sinai Peninsula. He added, however, that "terrorists" were still operating in the strategic peninsula. Militant attacks targeting security personnel have been commonplace since the army's ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi last summer amid massive protests against his year-long rule. Almost 500 people, mostly policemen and soldiers, have been killed in the militant attacks, including bombings and shootings. In recent months, the violence has spread to Cairo and the surrounding Nile Delta region. Islamic fighters say their attacks are in revenge for a crackdown waged by authorities against Morsi's Islamist supporters that has killed hundreds and jailed thousands. Source : Ahram online
