The Egyptian Ministry of Interior said that three members of the so-called "Hasm" movement were killed in Giza province while security forces arrested 10 others in Fayoum and Qalyubia one day after the terrorist attack on Mar Mina Church in Helwan, south of Cairo.
"Under the framework of proactive security efforts against terrorist groups, the ministry had uncovered a plan by Hasm to commit hostile actions that target touristic and other vital facilities as well as police and armed forces, during Christmas celebrations, in an attempt to cause instability and portray a negative image of the security situation in Egypt," a statement by the Interior Ministry said on Saturday.
According to the ministry, members of the Hasm movement, one of the armed wings of the Muslim Brotherhood, was planning to carry out a series of attacks.
The security plan to abort the attack resulted in identifying a farm, located on Giza Road, used by the militant elements to hide and manufacture explosives.
The security personnel raided the farm and exchanged fire with the terrorists, leaving three member of the Hasm movement, who supervised the manufacturing of explosives, killed.
The terrorists had three automatic rifles, two explosive devices and ammunition, the statement added.
The Interior Ministry said that 10 other members of that group, who are involved in the shooting incident at the security booth on Fayoum Road on July 20, 2017, were caught in the governorates of Fayoum and Qalyubia at locations also containing ammunition and other tools, which were uncovered by police.
A gunman killed at least 11 people on Friday in attacks on a Coptic Orthodox church and a Christian-owned shop near Cairo before he was wounded and arrested.
ISIS later claimed responsibility for the attack via an Amaq propaganda outlet statement without providing evidence.
