Seven militants killed in Sinai shootout: Egypt

CAIRO (AA) – Security forces killed seven suspected militants in an exchange of fire in Egypt’s volatile Sinai Peninsula, the Egyptian Interior Ministry said Monday.

In a statement, the ministry said security forces had found a “hideout” from which militants had planned to attack “vital facilities and Egyptian forces stationed in the city of Al-Arish”, regional capital of Egypt’s North Sinai province.

According to the ministry, the seven militants were killed in an exchange of fire during a subsequent raid on the hideout by security forces.

Anadolu Agency could not independently verify the ministry's assertions.

Rights groups frequently accuse the Egyptian security forces of killing civilians while ostensibly conducting police raids -- allegations denied by the Egyptian authorities.