Cairo University rocked by explosions

Several explosive devices detonated near the campus of Cairo University last Wednesday, killing a senior police official and wounding several officers in the first major attack in the capital since the beginning of Egypt's presidential campaign, writes Kareem Fahim for The New York Times.

Retaliatory attacks on Egyptian security personnel have become common over the past seven months, as the government has moved forcefully to repress Islamist supporters of Egypt's last elected president, Mohamed Morsi, removed by the military last July. The bombings threatened to deepen the turmoil on campuses, which have become a focal point of anti-government unrest as the strength of Islamist protests diminishes elsewhere in the country.

For months the authorities have struggled to contain the student demonstrations, which have erupted daily in recent weeks. Three students were killed during clashes with riot police officers late last month. The bombings appeared to target the heavy security detail that has been positioned around Cairo University since August, when the authorities stormed an Islamist sit-in outside the campus.
Full report on the New York Times site