Egypt’s army forces entrusted with securing the strategic Suez Canal have attacked a suspected militant hideout on the Cairo-Suez highway, leading to the death of an army personnel and one of the suspected militants, Al-Ahram's Arabic news website reported on Tuesday.

Third Field Army troops attacked the hideout, allegedly used as a weapons depot in the Wadi Hagoul area, exchanging gunfire with the suspected militants. Forces also confiscated a large number of rifles, heavy artillery and live ammunition.

This operation came hours before the expected visit of Col. Gen. Sedki Sobhi, the country’s recently appointed defence minister, to forces in the area.

Since the ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi last summer, attacks blamed on suspected Islamist militants have spiked, mostly targeting security forces and installations.

The army has responded with a military offensive in the Sinai Peninsula and other strategic areas, destroying suspected hideouts and claiming numerous lives.