Egypt army guns down top terrorist

A top terrorist has been killed in Egypt's restive central Sinai region during an exchange of fire with the army, officials said today.

The army targeted a number of areas in central Sinai killing Naser Abu Zaqoul, who used to head a terror group in the region. The army seized two grenades and a number of arms, it said in a statement.

North Sinai has witnessed many terror attacks since the January 2011 revolution.

The attacks, mainly targeting police and military, increased after the ouster of Islamist ex-president Mohamed Morsi in 2013 by the military following massive protests against his rule. Hundreds of police and army personnel have been killed since then.

The military has launched security campaigns in the restive North Sinai area. The security forces have arrested suspects and demolished houses that belong to terrorists, including those facilitating tunnels leading to the Gaza Strip.