Egypt: five policemen shot dead at checkpoint

At least five police officers have been killed in an attack on a security checkpoint south of Egypt’s capital Cairo.

Two others were also injured, one badly, in the town of Beni Suef, some 100 kilometres from the capital.

Egypt’s interior ministry said armed motorcyclists opened fire on the checkpoint.

Attacks on security forces have increased since Islamist President Mohamed Mursi was ousted, with at least 250 police officers and soldiers killed since July.