Two Egyptian security personnel were killed on Sunday when an improvised explosive device exploded on the side of the road near their vehicle north of El-Sheikh Zuweid in the troubled North Sinai, a security source told Ahram Arabic news website.

The source added that the device exploded in Karm El-Kawades area, and the bodies of the deceased were transported to Al-Arish Hospital.

Egypt has been long working to quell an Islamist insurgency.

The militancy, based in parts of North Sinai, has killed hundreds of security forces in recent years. Authorities have also reported that hundreds of militants have been killed in army campaigns in the governorate.