Egyptian security forces thwarted an attack targeting a church near Cairo on Saturday, August 11, state television said.

According to media outlets, the security forces thwarted a suicide attack near a Coptic Orthodox church in Shubra al-Khaimah, in Qalaybiya, near Ca

The terrorist, who was wearing an explosive belt was trying to sneak among the worshipers who were celebrating the Feast of Virgin Mary day at the church of the “Blessed Virgin Mary”.

The security forces spotted him and foiled his attempt to blow himself among the large crowd of Christian Copts.
He was killed instantly while to two civilians were wounded.

The most recent attack came last December, when a gunman fired on worshippers at a Coptic Orthodox church in a Cairo suburb, killing 11 in an attack claimed by ISIS.

The country has fought an insurgency led by ISIS in the Sinai Peninsula that has killed hundreds of soldiers and policemen since mid-2013 - although no official death toll has been released to date.