Man arrested after 11 killed in attack on church near Cairo

A gunman opened fire ona Christian-owned shop anda Coptic church near Cairo on Friday, killing 11 people before he was wounded and arrested, the InteriorMinistryand church officialssaid.

The attacker struck worshippers and Egyptian security forces at the entrance tothe Mar Mina church in the southern Cairosuburb ofHelwanand tried to throw an explosive device, according to the ministry.

Ninepeople were killed, including a policeman and a woman who later died from her wounds, according to Interior Ministry and Coptic Churchaccounts.

Two others were killed when the attacker shot at aChristian-owned shop fourkilometres awaybefore proceeding to the church.

Earlier reports by security sources and state media said atleast two attackers were involved, and that one was shot dead and another fled the scene. The Interior Ministry did notexplain the reason for the different accounts.

It said forces had "immediately dealt with the [alleged attacker]and arrested him after he was wounded." It added, "Legal measures have been taken," without elaborating.

The Health Ministry said earlier that five people had beenwounded, including two women who were in serious condition.

It said investigators had identified the gunman and that he allegedly had carried out several attacks since last year.

The general prosecutor said in a statement that aninvestigation has been launched.

A witness who did not want to give his name said a police officerwas killed while he was closing the church gate to stop thegunman from getting in.

Security stepped up

Islamist militants have claimed several attacks on Egypt's large Christian minority in recent years, including two bomb attacks on Palm Sunday in April and a blast at Cairo's largestCoptic cathedrallast Decemberthat killed 25 people.

The church was being guarded by police in the run-up toOrthodox Christmas celebrations next week.

Police have stepped up security measures around churchesahead of the Coptic Christmas celebrations on Jan. 7, deployingofficers outside Christian places of worship and setting upmetal detectors at some of the bigger churches.

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi offered his condolences tothe families and ordered security forces to increase safety measures at sensitive sites, his office said in a statement.