Egyptian Policeman Killed, Three Wounded in Shootout with Militants
A "terrorist cell" was intending to attack Christians in southern and eastern Cairo during their Easter celebrations, the statement said.
Coptic Orthodox Christians, who make up around 10-15 percent of Egypt's 100 million population, celebrate Orthodox Easter on April 19.
The ministry said the cell was "neutralized" with seven militants killed.
Six rifles and a cache of ammunition were recovered from the scene and other weapons that were "to be used in their terror plan" were found in a nearby warehouse.
Private television channel CBC Extra News showed footage of the gunfire, as residents of Al-Amiriyah suburb were warned to stay inside their homes away from windows and doors.
The shootout lasted several hours, going beyond the 8:00 pm start of the nighttime curfew imposed to stem the spread of the coronavirus, a security source told AFP.
Security forces have been battling a long-running insurgency mainly in the Sinai Peninsula in northeast Egypt, spearheaded by a local affiliate of the Daesh (ISIL or ISIS) terrorist group.
A nationwide operation against militants began in February 2018.
Since then, more than 845 suspected militants have been killed in North Sinai province along with more than 60 security personnel, according to official figures.
