CAIRO, Dec 19 (Aswat Masriya) An Egyptian conscript was killed in an exchange of fire between unknown gunmen and security forces in Port Said early on Thursday, the state news agency said.

A group of security forces was attacked during its morning patrol by gunmen riding motorcycles who fired shots at them before escaping, MENA said.

Conscript Ahmed Hamed Youssef was transferred to a local hospital to receive medical attention but he died before he arrived there.

The Interior Ministry sent its condolences to Youssef’s family and promised compensation for his family.

Attacks on security personnel, from the police and army, have increased since the army’s ouster of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi in July following mass demonstrations across the country.