Bomb kills police general in Cairo

The blast in the upscale western suburb of Oct. 6 killed Ahmed Zaki, a commander of Egypt's central security forces who have spearheaded a crackdown on supporters of ousted President Muhammad Mursi. Militants have launched scores of attacks mainly targeting security forces since the military deposed Mursi last July after massive protests calling for his resignation. The general was fatally wounded as he headed for work, security officials said, adding that two conscripts were wounded in the attack. Video footage posted on newspaper websites showed the front of the car destroyed. It was painted light green, not the usual dark blue of police vehicles, according to Arab News. Police officers are increasingly having their cars repainted to avoid being easily identified by militants and targeted. Zaki was the third senior police officer to be killed in Cairo since the start of the year. Three other police have been killed in four more attacks over the past week. Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab and Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim attended his funeral later on Wednesday. In the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, meanwhile, a police lieutenant was killed in a gunfight with wanted "terrorist elements," security officials said. They said one "terrorist" was killed and another wounded, adding that police retrieved an explosives-laden belt and two home-made bombs. The Interior Ministry said the police lieutenant targeted in Alexandria on Wednesday was killed by members of Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis. Official figures show that about 500 people - mostly police officers and soldiers - have been killed in gun and bomb attacks by militants since Mursi's ouster. Amnesty International, meanwhile, says that more than 1,400 people have been killed in the police crackdown on Mursi supporters. More than 15,000 activists, mostly from Mursi's Muslim Brotherhood, have been jailed, while hundreds have been condemned to death after often speedy trials. Mursi was ousted by his army chief, Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, who is now the frontrunner in a presidential election next month. The 59-year-old Sisi has been riding a wave of popularity after ousting Mursi. Leftist leader Hamdeen Sabbahi is his only declared rival so far in the May 26-27 vote.