Egypt security forces kill 11 militants in raid

Egyptian

officials say security forces have killed 11 men armed with assault rifles in a firefight that began during a dawn raid on a desert cave south of Cairo.

Officials say the men killed yesterday had been in possession of weapons and ammunition, including explosives, in the Western Desert near the Farafra depression, and had planned “hostile operations.” The area is near Assiut city, some 320 kilometres from Cairo. Egypt launched a nationwide operation against militants in February. (AP)