Egypt Army Kills 60 Militants in North Sinai

CAIRO: Egyptian army today said it has killed at least 60 militants and arrested 102 others over the past 12 days in raids in North Sinai desert.

According to Mohamed Samir, Egypt's Armed Forces spokesman, army has also destroyed 123 houses, 24 vehicles and 118 unlicensed motorcycles belonging to militants in the latest operations.     

"Border guards of the 2nd Field Army demolished 17 smuggling tunnels under the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza," the Military spokesman said in his statement today.           

The statement further said two machine guns, eight mortars and six Molotov cocktails were also seized and 247 militant bases were burnt down.          

Militant attacks have surged since the army overthrew president Mohammed Morsi in July 2013 and cracked down on his supporters. At least 1,400 people have been killed in the crackdown, mostly Islamist protesters.  

Army often carry out raids to capture militants and destroy their hideouts.