CAIRO, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian police killed on Tuesday five terrorists affiliated with the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group in Qalyubia Governorate, north of the capital Cairo, Egypt's Interior Ministry said.
The ministry's National Security Department detected a terrorist cell belonging to the Brotherhood which was planning attacks on vital installations and army and police personnel, the ministry said in a statement.
According to the ministry, the terrorists were hiding in a deserted factory in al-Obour city, where they produced explosive devices.
When the police attacked their hideout, the terrorists opened intensive fire, the ministry said, adding that the five terrorists were killed in the shootout.
Firearms, explosives and materials to make bombs were found in their possession.
Earlier in the day, the Egyptian army announced that its forces have killed at least 59 militants in fire exchange in Sinai Peninsula over the past few days.
The army added that one officer and six soldiers were killed during the raids.
Terrorism rose in Egypt following the military ouster of former Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 in response to mass protests against his one-year rule and his currently banned Muslim Brotherhood group.
Terror attacks gradually expanded from North Sinai province to other provinces including the capital Cairo and started to target the Coptic minority via church bombings and shootings.
