CAIRO: Egypt’s military said Sunday a founder of a militant faction in North Sinai that pledged allegiance to Daesh was killed in an airstrike.
A total of 18 “extremely dangerous” insurgents were killed and others wounded in raids carried out on March 18, it said.
Among those killed was Salem Selmi El-Hamadeen, known as Abu Anas Al-Ansari, a founder and top member of Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis, the military said on its official Facebook page.
Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis is the name used by the group before it pledged allegiance to Daesh in November 2014.
Daesh reported the death of the militant, active in the Sinai Peninsula ever since the mid-2000s, in its weekly newsletter Al-Nabaa last Thursday.
Al-Ansari “joined the Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis group, becoming one of its first members, and since jihad began in Sinai he was one of its building blocks,” Daesh said.
He was previously a member of Al-Tawhid Wal-Jihad, a group that claimed a string of bombings at Red Sea resorts in the Sinai from 2004 to 2006 killing more than 100 people, it said.
Daesh said Al-Ansari was jailed but had escaped during Egypt’s 2011 uprising against longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak.
The militants have killed hundreds of soldiers and policemen since the army overthrew President Muhammad Mursi in 2013 and cracked down on his supporters, killing hundreds and jailing thousands of them.
The attacks have mostly taken place in North Sinai, though they have also been carried out in other parts of the country including Cairo.
Top militant killed in North Sinai, says Cairo
Top militant killed in North Sinai, says Cairo
Pakistan beat India by 191 runs to win U-19 Asia Cup final in Dubai
- Sameer Minhas played a clinical 172-run knock to lead Pakistan to a commanding total of 347-8
- In response, India were in the game for first few overs but collapsed at 156 runs from 26.2 overs
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan delivered a commanding all-round performance to thrash arch-rivals India by 191 runs in the Under-19 Asia Cup final in Dubai on Sunday, dominating the contest with both bat and ball.
India, who were undefeated in the tournament, won the toss and put Pakistan to bat first. The decision did not pan out well for the Blue Shirts as Pakistan were off to a flying start, powered by opener Sameer Minhas and middle-order batter Usman Khan.
The two built a 92-run partnership before Khan returned to the pavilion. Minhas, however, kept on piling the runs and smashed a clinical 172-run knock to lead Pakistan to a commanding total of 347-8 from 50 overs. Ahmed Hussain scored 56 runs off 72 deliveries.
In response, India were in the game for the first few overs, but after that, it was all Pakistan, with bowlers picking up wickets at regular intervals. The Indian side collapsed at 156 runs from 26.2 overs. Minhas was declared player-of-the-match and player-of-the-series.
“It was a good innings... we wanted to bat first looking at the track,” Minhas said. “It is very memorable for me.”
Ali Raza picking up 4 wickets for Pakistan, while Deepesh Devendran was the pick of the Indian bowlers, returning figures of 3-83.
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari congratulated the U19 team on the impressive victory.
“Impressive victory over India in final shows young players’ dedication and resolve,” he said on X. “A proud moment for the nation. Appreciation to captain, team, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, and coaches.”
