7 militants killed, 15 arrested in army raids

CAIRO :  Seven militants were killed in army raids in North Sinai governate of Egypt, according to a local media report.
The Egyptian army yesterday launched raids in North Sinai cities of Rafah and Sheikh Zuied, killing seven militants and destroying 20 terroristic areas including houses and shelters as well as destroying four vehicles used by militants in theirs attacks against army and police personnel, the report said.
Fifteen other militants were arrested during the raids, it said.
Militants have launched several violent attacks against police and army personnel in Sinai since January 2011 revolution that toppled the ex-president Hosni Mubarak.
Many policemen and soldiers have been killed in the attacks, which have increased after the ouster of Islamist ex-president Mohamed Morsi last year.
In July, militants attacked a military checkpoint in Al-Wadi Al-Gedid governorate in southern Egypt, killing 21 Egyptian border guards and injured four others.
The military has launched security campaigns in the area, arrested suspects and demolished houses that belong to terrorists, including those facilitating tunnels leading to the Gaza Strip. (AGENCIES)