Egyptian security forces launched a successful counterattack against unknown militant groups who opened fire on five military-police checkpoints Tuesday night on the Airport Road in North Sinai, the Ministry of Interior affirmed in a press statement, Wednesday.
Security personnel were reportedly able to overcome the armed assailants who targeted Raysah, Mahager, El-Safa, El-Maasaia and El-Maghala checkpoints, just two days after an unidentified group killed 16 Egyptian soldiers on the border with Israel.
The Interior Ministry added that it has intensified security presence on different checkpoints across the peninsula region and has already discovered the locations of particular militant groups.
Egyptian security troops and helicopters were reported to be combing the eastern area of El-Halal Mountain, hunting for armed insurgents.
Eyewitnesses speaking to Al-Ahram Arabic language news website directly after the events occurred ratified the Interior Ministry statement, saying that the majority of the gunmen were either killed or injured during the raids. Several Egyptian security officers were also allegedly wounded, although an official list of casualties has yet to be released.
