A  policeman was killed by shots of unknown assailants on Thursday in the Upper Egyptian governorate of Fayoum, Al-Ahram’s Arabic news website reported.

A security source told Al-Ahram’s Arabic news website that Alaa Mohamed, 42,  was taking his final law exam at Fayoum University; and that he was shot by unknown assailants as soon as he walked out.  

He was transferred to Fayoum general hospital, where he died of his injuries.

Also in Fayoum late Wednesday an improvised explosive device exploded, injuring one policeman near a police station.

Attacks on police and army forces have been recurrent in Egypt over the past year with hundreds of personnel killed or injured, particularly in North Sinai where the military is battling a jihadist insurgency.

Attacks have also spread to Cairo and other governorates and civilians have been caught up in the violence.