A dangerous leader of the so-called Ansar Bait al Maqdis was killed during a shootout with the army in Sheikh Zuwaid, Army Spokesman Mohamed Samir said on Saturday.

The spokesman named the leader as Selim Suleiman El Haram.

The Armed Forces was informed that Haram was hiding in a house in Sheikh Zuwaid, so the special forces personnel rushed to the scene and surrounded the home, the spokesman said.

The accused opened fire on the troops and tried to blow up an explosive belt, but the forces exchanged fire and killed him, the spokesman added.

Two automatic rifles, a F1 grenade, a three-magazine explosive belt, a walkie-talkie and various ammunition were seized in his possession.