‘Dangerous’ leader of Ansar Beit al-Maqdis group killed during arrest operation

Terrorist Ashraf Ali el Gharabli, who is one of the most dangerous fugitive elements, was killed in an exchange of fire with security forces in el Marg, the Interior Ministry announced on Monday.

El Gharabli is a member of the extremist group Ansar Beit al Maqdis, which implemented several terrorist acts that left several people killed.

The group also carried out several terrorist operations that resulted in causing heavy losses in a number of vital state institutions.

The national security sector received information that el Gharabli frequently goes to el Marg area, which he takes it as a hideout for planning his terrorist acts, said a statement issued by the Interior Ministry.

Immediately, security forces rushed to the area and spotted him while he was driving a car, said the statement, adding that the terrorist noticed that there is an attempt to arrest him, said the statement.

El Gharabli started to open fire toward security forces in an attempt to flee the scene, a matter which forced security men to open fire and kill him, according to the statement.

The Interior Ministry accused in its statement el Gharabli of being responsible for several attacks on police and army personnel as well as “vital” institutions.

The statement added that el Gharabli was considered one of the leading terrorist figure and was a prime suspect for several terrorist acts, including the assassination attempt of former interior minister Mohamed Ibrahim and the killing of national security officer Lt. Col. Mohammed Mabrouk, killing of policeman Tarek Mohamed Sameh and four conscripts in Matrouh, said the statement.

He was also charged with launching an armed attack on a number of patrols of border guards in el Farfrah city and security chekpoint affiliated to the Armed Forces in Mustard area, added the statement.

Ansar Beit al Maqdis, an armed group that has carried out a number of attacks on security outposts, has claimed responsibility for attacks in Giza, Cairo, Ismailia, and Sinai.

Source: MENA