BEIJING, Sept. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- Egyptian security forces have stormed a town south of Cairo, that had been held for over two months by militants loyal to the ousted president Mohammed Morsi.

Backed by armoured vehicles and helicopters, the forces swiftly took control of the town of Dalga in Minya province, despite some resistance from gunmen. The pre-dawn operation highlighted the resolve of the military-backed government to pursue militants behind a wave of violence in several parts of the country.

According to security officials in Minya, a total of 88 suspected militants were arrested out of a list of 312 wanted men. Minya’s security chief said army troops and police had complete control of the town and would remain there until law and order were fully restored.

Dalga lies some 300 kilometres south of Cairo. It attracted nationwide attention when militants threw out the local police force, and took over the town after Morsi’s ouster.

(Source: cntv.cn)