Police officer dies in Sinai car chase

A police officer died on Sunday in Central Sinai during a high-speed car chase on Hasna Road, reported privately owned Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper.

Central Security Forces Captain Ahmed Arafa was in a police armored vehicle chasing armed gunmen in a car when the assailants shot at the vehicle, causing it to crash and killing the officer instantly. The assailants fled the scene, according to Al-Masry Al-Youm.

The body of the officer was taken to Arish Military Hospital amid an ongoing investigation into the incident.

Military Spokesperson Mohamed Samir Abdel Aziz Ghoneim said later on Sunday that seven terrorists were killed in an exchange of fire during a security operation that covered North Sinai, Ismailia and Daqahlia. Ghoneim added that 91 others were arrested during the security raid.

On his official Facebook page, the colonel claimed nine cars and 65 motorcycles with no license plates, purportedly used in terrorist attacks, were destroyed and several firearms were confiscated in the raid.

He added that five underground tunnels were destroyed in North Sinai from September 14 to 19 as part of ongoing efforts against smuggling. 

Regular raids by security forces have taken place in North Sinai in recent months as part of a military crackdown on armed groups since the ousting of former President Mohamed Morsi last year.