Ten Egyptian soldiers including a high-ranking colonel have been killed and at least 20 injured in a suicide bomb attack on an army checkpoint in northern Sinai, said a report, citing security sources.

 

Two vehicles were reportedly detonated while passing a checkpoint in an area between Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid on Friday, when a suicide car bomber rammed his vehicle into it before dozens of armed militants arrived and started, reported The Independent. 

 

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, it said.

 

On his official Facebook page, Army spokesman Tamer El Rifai confirmed the attack and said that 26 army personnel were killed or injured in the attack, without providing a breakdown. 

 

He also said the army foiled attacks targeting a number of other checkpoints in southern Rafah and that 40 militants were killed.

 

Security officials said the militants arrived at the site of the checkpoint — located in a remote, deserted area — in some 24 Land Cruiser SUVs, reported The Independent. 

 

The militants opened fire on the soldiers with machine guns for nearly half an hour, they said. The force at the compound is estimated at 60 troops, it added.