CAIRO, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- At least 27 militants and one soldier were killed in exchange of fire across the country in the past few days, the Egyptian armed forces said in a statement on Wednesday.

"During anti-terrorist raids, the national security forces have killed 24 highly dangerous terrorists in North and Central Sinai in several desert areas in the Sinai Peninsula," said Tamer al-Refai, the spokesperson of the armed forces.

The raids areas covered the scope of the second and third field armies in Sinai, the statement added.

Other three gunmen were killed in exchange of fire at the borders desert and mountain areas.

A total of 403 criminals and wanted persons have been arrested in the raids.

The security forces have detonated 344 explosive devices that have been planted for targeting the soldiers in Sinai, it added.

The forces also destroyed 342 hotbeds and warehouses that included explosives, motor bikes and cars spare parts in North Sinai, according to the statement.

The forces also demolished four tunnels in North Sinai that were used for trafficking weapons, the statement added.

The raids that expanded across the country have destroyed 61 jeep vehicles at the western and southern borders of Egypt.

Sinai Peninsula is the stronghold of terrorist groups in Egypt, most severest of which is Sinai State, an Egyptian branch of the Islamic State.

A total of 460 militants and over 30 soldiers have been killed in the "Sinai 2018" anti-terror campaign since February. Enditem

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