Five policemen have been killed Thursday, Jan 23, in Egypt in an armed attack on a checkpoint south of Cairo, the interior ministry said, according to BBC News.

Two others were injured, one seriously, in the attack in Beni Suef province, some 100km from the capital. Two men riding motorcycles "opened fire heavily" on forces at the checkpoint, the statement said.

Attacks on security forces have increased since Islamist President Mohammed Morsi was ousted in July. At least 250 security personnel have been killed in armed attacks since then.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Thursday's attack.

A security source said the area was being searched to find those behind the killings.