3 "terrorists" killed in Egypt's Sinai: military spokesman

3 people who the Egyptian military accused of terrorism were killed in confrontations with the armed forces after they allegedly killed a police officer and wounded a soldier early Thursday in al-Arish, a border city with Israel, a military spokesman said.

According to a statement by army spokesman Ahmed Ali, several " terrorists" shot dead municipal policeman Abdel Moneim Sayed, 41, in his house while his family was present. The assailants then stole his personal pistol and fled the scene.

Officials accuse the same group of assaulting security personnel from the army in the vicinity of the North Sinai governor's house, wounding one soldier.

The armed forces exchanged fire and killed the alleged attackers Ali said, adding a Kalashnikov, rocket-propelled grenade (RPG), two automatic gun machines, guns and 199 bullets were seized from the suspects' car.

Security forces have increased their presence in the Sinai Peninsula since the ouster of President Mohamed Morsi in July in effort to combat "terrorism." They accuse radical Islamist groups of launching attacks on army and police institutions and personnel.