The Egyptian security officer in charge of investigations into Islamist extremist groups was assassinated overnight in eastern Cairo, local media reported Monday.
Gunmen in two cars ambushed Major Mohammed Mabrouk on his way to work before midnight on Sunday, spraying his car with bullets, state-run newspaper Al-Akhbar reported.
Seven bullets were found in Mabrouk's body and another 36 in his car, the newspaper said. Police were searching for the killers, dpa reported.
Mabrouk had been appointed to head the section in the national security department that investigates Islamist extremists after the military overthrew president Mohammed Morsi on July 3, the report said.
The officer had been involved in the arrests of members of a suspected extremist group in Cairo last year as well as leaders of Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood group, Al-Akhbar said.
Mabrouk had also drawn up a report accusing Morsi of conspiring with Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, state-run newspaper Al-Ahram reported, citing security sources.
The Interior Ministry's national security department was known as State Security until the fall of Mubarak.
It was responsible for following the activities of Islamists and political activists. It had been accused of human rights abuses.