Egyptian police killed on Tuesday two “dangerous wanted criminals” in a shootout in Upper Egypt's Aswan governorate, the Ministry of Interior said in a statement.

One of the criminals was involved in the killing of a police detective during a shootout in the Upper Egyptian governorate of Qena earlier this month. He had been convicted in four cases of murder, theft, use of force and possession of illegal arms.

"The first criminal sought haven at the second's criminal’s residence in Kom Ombo in Aswan governorate, where the shootout on Tuesday took place," the statement said. 

The second criminal was accused in other cases of theft, attempted murder, and the possession of illegal arms. 

Police forces seized two automatic rifles, four magazines, and 57 bullets in possession of the criminals, the statement added.