Egyptian security forces shot dead a militant reportedly affiliated with Islamist group Ajnad Misr on Saturday in the working-class district of Warrak in Greater Cairo, security sources told Al-Ahram Arabic.

Police were approaching the man's flat in order to arrest him, the sources said, but were met with gunfire.

Eyewitnesses told Al-Ahram that the man had rushed to the top of his five-floor building when he saw police approaching, and began firing.

Two policemen were injured in the resulting exchange of fire, including a lieutenant from Central Security Forces and anofficer from National Security.

The 39-years-old alleged militant, who reportedly used an automatic firearm against the police and had an extra magazine, was a married man and a father for four.

Identified as "Mostafa M." by Al-Ahram, he was reportedly involved in many terror operations by Ajnad Misr.

Other media outlets reported anonymous sources identifying the man as a member of the now-banned Muslim Brotherhood.

Ajnad Misr ("Soldiers of Egypt") has claimed responsibility for several deadly attacks against police in Cairo, including an explosion near the Ittihadiya presidential palace in June 2014 that killed two police officers.

In recent months, police have said they have carried out several raids on apartments where suspected or fugitive Islamists militants were reportedly either hiding or preparing for “terrorist operations.”

Some of these raids have ended with suspects killed by police who say they came under fire first.

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