A policeman and a civilian were killed and three people wounded in an attack late on Thursday on a patrol in Esna, south of Luxor, the Interior Ministry said.

The police patrol had stopped a vehicle and when stopped, two gunmen fired on the patrol, the ministry said in a statement.

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One of the perpetrators were arrested while the other fled, the ministry said, adding that the wounded have been transferred to hospital.

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Attacks on security forces have been common in Egypt since the army, led by general-turned-President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, ousted Muslim Brotherhood President Mohamed Mursi in 2013 following mass protests against his rule.

Related: Egypt arrests 13 terrorist suspects 'preparing attacks'

In recent months, attacks have expanded to target Egypt’s Coptic Christians, the country’s largest minority.

source: Alarabiya