Egypt's security forces killed five terrorists on Thursday who were attempting to attack a checkpoint in the border North Sinai region, where the military is fighting an Islamist insurgency, the military said in a statement.

A group of "armed terrorist elements" opened fire at security forces stationed at the checkpoint, who returned fire, forcing the gunmen to flee and hide.

Air forces pursued the terrorists and launched air strikes, killing five and injuring six others. Two 4x4 vehicles and two buildings where the gunmen were hiding were also destroyed.

Earlier this week, Egyptian security forces freed a police officer who was kidnapped during the deadly shootout earlier this month between policemen and terrorists in Egypt’s Western Desert which left 16 policemen dead.