A soldier and 11 militants were killed on the eighth day of a joint security operation in al-Arish, Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid of North Sinai, the Egyptian military spokesman said on Monday.
An explosive device detonated, leaving the soldier dead and injuring another, Spokesman Mohamed Samir said in a statement.
Samir said 11 militants were killed after initiating fire against Egyptian security forces during "raids and confrontations." He added that 51 suspects were arrested during combing operations and raids.
Monday marks the eighth day of an operation launched by joint police and military forces, dubbed the “martyr’s right” operation.
Since the beginning of the operation on September 7, a total of 360 militants have been killed and more than 300 arrested.
North Sinai militants have stepped up attacks targeting security forces since the ouster of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi in July 2013, after mass protests against his rule.
