Egyptian forces raid pro-Morsi town

Egyptian security forces are fighting gun battles in a town near Cairo after launching an operation targeting “criminal and terrorist hotbeds.”

At least 28 suspected militants have been held in Kerdasa, state TV says.

But several hours after the operation started, security forces took cover from gunfire.

At least 11 police officers were killed at a police station in Kerdasa last month, weeks after the overthrow of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in July.

Soldiers went into Kerdasa at about 05:30 local time (03:30 GMT) on Thursday, backed by helicopters.

State media said a senior policeman had died in clashes with militants.

BBC says security forces were exchanging fire with unidentified gunmen who appeared to have taken up positions in a number of buildings in the town.

Security forces were taking cover behind buildings, the report adds.

Earlier residents had told the BBC that security forces were searching homes in Kerdasa for members of Mr. Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood movement.