New attack by Egyptian Islamic group

Al-Gama'a Al-Islamia (an Islamic group) ambushed two police vehicles in Upper Egypt last Thursday night, killing 8 people and wounding 10.

Seven policemen and a civilian passerby were killed in the accident when unidentified gunmen opened fire on two police vehicles at a checkpoint in the town of Manfalout, 300 km south of Cairo.

The 10 injured included a police officer, 7 soldiers and two civilians. The attackers escaped in a stolen car after the shooting.

Police forces sealed the town and started a widespread search operation. More than 60 people were arrested.

This attack is the worst since last month's attack of Al-Menya and comes as a setback to a number of leading Islamist figures who have been attempting to convince the government to take the Gama'a cease-fire appeal seriously, Al-Raia Al Dawlia newspaper said August 22.