Egyptian forces arrest 2 more radicals behind gas pipeline

Egyptian security forces arrested Monday two members of a radical group alleged to have launched the latest gas pipeline attacks in Sinai Governorate following the seizure of their leader, a security source told Xinhua. Abdel Karim Mohammed Ahmed and Ahmed Salem Awad, members of the Islamic organization al-Takfir wal-Hijra, were nabbed during an emergency security raid in the town of el-Arish in northern Sinai. The capture came one day after the group's leader Mohamed al- Teehi was arrested in a similar operation. The two men are accused of several counts of crimes, including blowing up the pipeline and attacking Arish police stations. Last Thursday, two explosions hit the pipeline carrying natural gas from Sinai to Jordan and Israel. It had already been attacked six times since former President Hosni Mubarak was toppled in February. On July 29, Arish police station was attacked along with some other security buildings, which led to the death of several policemen. A security source said they will continue operations in Sinai to crack down on illegal activities that destabilize the peninsula.