Egypt's military says roadside bombing in restive Sinai Peninsula kills 4 troops

CAIRO – Egypt's military says a roadside bombing in northern Sinai has killed four troops. It blamed the attack on militants in the restive region.

Military spokesman Brig. Gen. Mohammed Samir says on his official Facebook page that one officer and three soldiers died Thursday when their armored vehicle hit the bomb in Rafah, the border town that separates Egypt from the Gaza Strip.

He says three troops were also wounded.

However, a security official in Sinai says the explosion occurred outside a checkpoint in el-Mahdiya village in Rafah, killing the four troops. Clashes with militants then ensued, killing a fifth soldier. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he isn't authorized to speak to reporters.

Media access to northern Sinai, where military operations have intensified since 2013, is limited.