At least 16 Islamist militants were killed on Sunday in raids carried out by the military in Egypt’s restive North Sinai region after a major operation started to tighten control of border districts.
The Egyptian army also said that 66 terrorist points, arms depots, eleven vehicles and 31 unlicensed motor-bikes used by militants in their attacks were destroyed during the operation.
Thirty suspected terrorists were arrested, according to Egyptian authorities.
North Sinai has witnessed many attacks since the January 2011 revolution.
The attacks, mainly targeting police and military, increased after the ouster of Islamist ex-president Mohamed Morsi in 2013 by the military following massive protests against his rule.