At least 17 militants were killed and 62 suspects arrested on Thursday as part of a massive operation launched by the Egyptian security forces in the restive North Sinai province, a military official said.
"The forces also defused 53 explosive devices, burnt down 42 huts and dens of the terrorists, destroyed 16 vehicles and 13 motorbikes without plates and ruined seven warehouses belonging to terrorist elements," Xinhua quoted Brigadier-General Mohamed Samir as saying.
Thursday's raids mark the 11th day of the large-scale security operation in North Sinai that has left hundreds of militants killed and a similar number of suspects arrested.
