Egypt's Mufti on Arish terror attack: 'Aims at turning celebrations into grief’

CAIRO – 5 June 2019: Egypt's Grand Mufti Shawki Allam condemned, Wednesday, Arish checkpoint terrorist attack that left one police officer, a non commissioned officer and six conscripts dead.

He added in statement that the ‘despicable terrorist attack’ aimed at turning Muslims Eid celebrations into sadness and grief.

The Mufti offered his condolences to the families of the martyrs, praying for god to inspire their families’ patience and solace.

Earlier on Wednesday, number of terrorist elements attacked a security checkpoint in southern Arish city, North Sinai, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Interior.

A shootout between the elements and security forces at the checkpoint resulted in five terrorists killed.

The terrorist attack left one police officer, a non commissioned officer and six conscripts dead.

One of the terrorists was wearing an explosive belt armed with a detonator, where he is seen with his thumb on a button of a remote believed would bomb the checkpoint. He was killed by the police forces before he set it off.

Police forces launched a hunt for at large terrorist elements.

Wednesday marks Eid al-Fitr first day in Egypt, which is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide at the end of the holy month of Ramadan.