Two Egypt Policemen Shot Dead near Giza Pyramids

Gunmen on a motorbike Wednesday killed two Egyptian policemen who worked as guards at the world-famous Giza pyramids in Cairo, in the latest attack on security forces, police said.

The antiquities ministry said the attack occurred in a deserted area nearly five kilometers (three miles) from the pyramids, and that the security situation was unaffected at the attraction, which remained open.

One of the policemen was killed in the attack, which took place at 6:00 am (0400 GMT) outside the site, health ministry spokesman Hossam Abdel Ghaffar told AFP. 

The other died in hospital.

The Giza plateau, home of the 4th Dynasty pyramids, is located on the west bank of the Nile and is usually heavily guarded from all sides. 

Jihadists have regularly attacked security personnel since the army ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi two years ago.

Since then, the authorities have launched a brutal crackdown on Morsi's supporters that has left hundreds dead and thousands jailed.

Cairo-based jihadist group Ajnad Misr (Soldiers of Egypt) has claimed a string of bombings targeting security forces in the capital that it says are to avenge the crackdown on Islamists.

Meanwhile, in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, authorities are battling an affiliate of the Islamic State jihadist group called Sinai Province.

Tourists have been largely spared from attacks in Egypt although a suicide bombing targeting a tourist bus in the Sinai last year killed three South Koreans and their Egyptian driver.