CAIRO, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- At least one militant was killed in a shootout outside a church south of Cairo on Friday, state-media reported.

"The security forces frustrated an attack on church in Mar Mina Church the Helwan district," said the interior ministry statement.

One attacker was killed and another has fled the scene on a motorbike, the statement added.

Local media reported at least three policemen were killed in exchange of fire.