The Egyptian armed forces has foiled an attempt to smuggle a large quantity of explosive materials through one of the Suez Canal crossings to North Sinai, the army said on Sunday.

According to a statement released by the an army spokesman, the truck was stopped at one of the canal crossings, and it was found to be carrying equipment and materials used in manufacturing explosive devices, in addition to telecommunication devices.

There are three crossings to Sinai through the Suez Canal: El-Ferdan bridge, El-Salam bridge and Ahmed Hamdy tunnel.

The statement did not specify the crossing where the incident took place.

Egyptian security forces have been battling Islamist militants in parts of North Sinai in recent years.

Hundreds of security forces have ben killed in attacks by militants, while hundreds of militants have also been killed in security operations by the Egyptian armed forces and police.