CAIRO: Six Egyptian soldiers were killed today when terrorists attacked a security checkpoint with hand bombs and firearms in the restive Al-Arish city in North Sinai, the Army said.
"Due to firing by the army, terrorists escaped carrying a number of bodies and wounded members. Six army members were killed during the attack," Army spokesman Tamer el-Refae said in a statement.
The army personnel are combing the area.
North Sinai has witnessed several terrorist attacks since the January 2011 revolution that toppled former president Hosni Mubarak.
The attacks, mainly targeting police and military, increased after the ouster of Islamist ex-president Mohamed Morsi in 2013 by the military following massive protests against his rule.
Hundreds of police and army personnel have been killed since then.
The military has launched security campaigns in the North Sinai area, in which some terrorists are based.
The security forces have arrested suspects and demolished houses that belong to terrorists, including those facilitating tunnels leading to the Gaza Strip.