"A group of armed terrorists attacked the army checkpoint yesterday using a 4x4 vehicle with high explosive materials," military spokesperson Brigadier General Mohamed Samir said in a statement.
"Eight soldiers were killed during the attack. The army exchanged fire with the terrorists killing three of them and injuring others. The armed forces are currently continuing searching area for terrorists," Samir said.
Egypt's North Sinai has witnessed many violent attacks by militants in the last few years and since the January 2011 revolution that toppled the ex-president Hosni Mubarak.
Over 700 security personnel have been reported killed since then. The military has launched security campaigns in the area, arrested suspects and demolished houses that belong to terrorists, including those facilitating tunnels leading to the Gaza Strip.