Muslim militants kill Egyptian policemen

Cairo (AFP) - The underground Jamaa Islamiyya claimed responsibility for a wave of attacks on policemen in south Egypt yesterday, saying it had avenged the killings of its members by police.

The authorities said eight police and three civilians were killed in four attacks within an hour near Mallawi, 180 miles south of Cairo. Jamaa said 15 policemen had died.

Dozens of people were arrested after the attacks, which targeted vehicles with policemen on board. They were among the bloodiest incidents since Muslim militants launched a violent anti-government campaign in March 1992, which has so far cost 567 lives. Jamaa claimed responsibility for all attacks carried out in Cairo and southern Egypt since August and called on policemen and soldiers to join its ranks.