19 militants killed in Egypt

Cairo, Sep 22: The Egyptian security forces killed 19 militants during massive raids in the Western Desert and the restive Sinai peninsula, the Egyptian military said.

Brigadier-general Mohamed Samir said on Monday that 10 militants were killed and one was injured and arrested in the Bahariya Oasis region in the Western Desert and nine others were killed on the 15th day of a large-scale anti-terror campaign in North Sinai province, Xinhua reported.

"The forces managed to eradicate a highly-dangerous armed terrorist cell in the Bahariya Oasis region that plotted to carry out attacks during the upcoming Muslim Sacrifice Feast," the military spokesman said in the statement.

Monday's raids in Sinai marked the 15th day of a large anti-terrorism operation that left hundreds of militants killed and a similar number of suspects arrested.

IANS