36 takfiris killed in North, Central Sinai: Army

CAIRO - 19 March 2018: At least 30 takfiri elements have been killed in a shootout with military troops in North and Central Sinai as part of an operation going on on the peninsula now, a statement by the Armed Forces said Monday.

The elements had firearms and walkie-talkies on them.

Six more takfiris have also been killed in an exchange of fire with the troops, who had information about an abandoned house they were hiding in in Arish.

The troops seized three machine guns and an explosive charge inside the house.

The air force, meanwhile, destroyed a booby-trapped 4x4 vehicle and 12 hideouts of terrorists.

A booby-trapped car full of explosive materials was also destroyed as it attempted to storm a security checkpoint southwest of Arish.

A military force also stormed a terrorist hideout in Rafah and found two rifles, three machine guns, a pistol and RPG shells.

As many as 345 persons, including takfiris and wanted criminals, have been arrested.

Also 386 hideouts, depots and tunnels have been destroyed in North and Central Sinai.

Military engineers also destroyed 93 explosive charges.