Eight militants were killed in a clash with security forces in Egypt's restive north Sinai region, the military said today.
Thirteen other militants involved in attacks against the army were arrested while vehicles and houses sheltering terrorists were also destroyed during raids yesterday, said military spokesperson Mohamed Samir.
North Sinai has been the scene of many violent attacks by Islamist militants since the 2011 Egyptian revolution that ousted former dictator Hosni Mubarak.
The attacks targeting police and military increased after the ouster of Islamist ex-president Mohamed Morsi last year.
Over 500 policemen and soldiers have been killed in the attacks so far.
Egypt declared a three-month state of emergency in parts of north Sinai and a curfew following a deadly attack that killed 31 soldiers last month.
The army has launched frequent security operations in the area, arrested suspects and destroyed terrorist bases including tunnels leading to the neighbouring Gaza Strip.
