CAIRO, June 6 (Xinhua) -- Up to 14 terrorists involved in a deadly attack on a checkpoint in the North Sinai city of Arish were killed in an exchange of fire with security forces, the country's Interior Ministry said late Wednesday night.
"The security men have traced the terrorists, after they fled the scene of murder in Arish city, to a deserted house in al-Masaeed district," the ministry said in a press release.
When the forces approached the house, the militants opened fire intensively and the forces fired back, which led to the killing of 14 terrorists, it added.
Three explosive devices, two explosive belts and 14 machine-guns were found in the terrorist's possession, according to the official statement.
On early Wednesday, an armed attack targeted a checkpoint in North Sinai's Arish city, leaving eight security men dead, while the forces killed five terrorists.
Egypt has been battling anti-security terrorist attacks since the army-led ouster of former President Mohamed Morsi in 2013 in response to mass protests against his rule.
Hundreds of police officers and soldiers have been killed in militant attacks, mostly claimed by Sinai-based IS branch.
In February 2018, the army launched a nationwide operation against the militants mainly in the North Sinai. At least 700 militants and 50 security men have been killed since the start of the operation.
