The Egyptian Armed Forces announced on Monday that it has killed 52 “dangerous takfiris” as well as the death of three army personnel.

The Armed Forces made the announcement in its 28th communiqué on developments in the anti-terrorism Operation Sinai 2018.

The Armed Forces launched Operation Sinai 2018 in February to target terrorist and criminal organisations in north and central Sinai, parts of the Nile Delta and the Western Desert.

The operation involves the army, navy, border patrol, air force and police.

The 28th communiqué stated that the Armed Forces has made several accomplishments as part of the operation in recent days.

Egypt's air force destroyed seven terrorist hideouts as well as two vehicles that were going to be used to attack a number of security checkpoints in North Sinai.

Security forces have also destroyed 28 vehicles that were attempting to cross the country’s western border.

The statement has also said that security forces killed 26 extremely dangerous takfiris who were in possession of automatic rifles, ammunition, grenades and explosive belts.

The Arabic word "takfiri" refers to extremist Sunni Muslims who accuse other Muslims of being infidels, often as a justification for using violence against them.

Security forces have also seized two communication devices and military uniforms, as well as an unmanned aircraft used to monitor the activities of the Armed Forces.

A pre-emptive strike in El Arish, police national security forces killed 26 other extremely dangerous tafkiris and seized 10 rifles, four pistols and two bombs.

The statement said that security forces destroyed 26 cars and 52 motorcycles without licence plates that were used by terrorists to carry out their operations.

The forces have also destroyed a number of hideouts containing large amounts of TNT and ammunition.

Naval forces are continuing to secure the country's territorial waters and cut off terrorists’ supply lines.

The statement added that border guards are securing the country’s western and southern border areas to counter infiltrations and the smuggling of weapons and drugs that threaten the security and stability of the land.

As a result of those hostile operations, an officer, a non-commissioned officer and a soldier has been killed, the statement read.

On the western border, security forces seized three automatic rifles, five sniper rifles, large quantities of various ammunition, 1,000 kg of cannabis, and 3 million tablets of anesthetic.

The communiqué also highlighted the arrest of 2,227 individuals attempting illegal migration.

On the southern border, 102 illegal immigrants have been arrested and 31 vehicles were seized, as well as two communication devices and seven tons of rock ore.

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