Six people were injured, including a police officer, three conscripts and two civilians, as a result of a bomb explosion in Fayoum late Tuesday, according to state media. A police officer found the explosive device in Fayoum's downtown area, and civil protection forces headed to the location of the device in response. The explosion occurred as the civil protection forces were trying to defuse the bomb, causing damages to surrounding shops and six injuries. Fayoum is among the governorates across Egypt that have seen frequent explosions. The phenomenon has been on the rise since the ouster of former president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013. Militant groups usually target security personnel, facilities, electricity pylons and telecommunication branches. On 20 June, an electricity pylon in Fayoum was targeted, damaging the pylon and part of the Fayoum Stadium's wall. The act was preceded by at least four attacks in the same week. On 17 June, a police officer was shot in a drive-by-shooting, as he was standing guard in front of a Fayoum police station. On 14 June, a police corporal was shot dead, after sustaining injuries in different parts of his body. On the same day, another police officer was attacked on his way home by unknown assailants Another police officer was injured on 11 June outside of Al-Hamouly police station by fire from unknown assailants. The most prominent attack in June was the assassination of prosecutor general Hisham Barakat. The attack occurred when a bomb went off, targeting his motorcade.
