Another official says Egyptian troops killed four militants who attacked a military checkpoint in Sinai near the border with Gaza today. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to talk to the media. He gave no details.
Attacks in the Sinai Peninsula have increased since a military coup ousted Egypt's Islamist president Mohammed Morsi last month.
The Rafah border crossing was closed after militants ambushed and killed 25 policemen Monday in one of the deadliest attacks in Sinai recently.