An Egyptian policeman was shot dead on Monday by human smuggling gangs and drug dealers near the Egyptian-Israeli border, according to a security source.
Abdel Sattar Farrag, 23, a police officer, was killed following a violent encounter with smugglers attempting to help African migrants cross illegally into Israel. The source said the smugglers managed to escape after shooting the police agent in the head. Security authorities are investigating the incident.
An Egyptian police officer was killed earlier this month also in the border area.
Israeli data suggests that nearly 10,000 African migrants illegally crossed the Egyptian border into Israel over the past few years. Bedouin gangs operating in the region are known to assist the migrants in their attempts to cross the border.
Egyptian security authorities frequently face criticism from rights organizations for relying on excessive force in dealing with illegal immigrants.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
