CAIRO, Jul 9 (Aswat Masriya) - A police officer in the Upper Egyptian governorate of Beni Suef was shot dead by unidentified assailants early Thursday, the Interior Ministry said.

The slain officer worked at the Beni Suef Security Directorate's criminal investigation department, the ministry said in a statement mourning his death.

Bombings and shootings targeting security personnel have surged since the military ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Mursi, following mass protests against his rule.