Three Egyptian army soldiers were killed and four injured in a militant attack by terrorists on Saturday evening against a security checkpoint south of the town of Sheikh Zueid in North Sinai, a military spokesman said.

Spokesman Mohamed Samir said on his official Facebook page that the army had been engaging the militants in battle in three different areas south of the town. He said that the army destroyed two vehicles and killed a number of militants in the Al-Hamadein area near Al-Zawarae, south of Sheikh Zuweid.

The Islamic State's Egypt affiliate, Sinai Province, has claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement carried on a social media website. 

Earlier in the evening, state news agency MENA had reported that five soldiers were killed and seven injured in a militant attack against Abu Refae security checkpoint south of Sheikh Zuweid.

Security sources had told MENA that "terrorists" attacked the checkpoint with live ammunition and bombs.

On 1 July, Islamic State group militants launched multiple attacks against army and security forces in and around Sheikh Zuweid, leaving 21 soldiers dead.

In the past two weeks, the Egyptian army, which regained control over the town on the same day after fierce battles, has been carrying out intense strikes against militant hideouts which reportedly left more than 200 militants dead.