The explosion took place yesterday evening when a security patrol came upon a militant planting the device by a road in the town of el-Arish. Security forces fired and killed the militant while his accomplices fled, setting off the device.
The security officials say the two slain officers were a lieutenant-colonel and a captain. An explosives-laden suicide vest was also found at the site of the blast. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to talk to the media.