CAIRO, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian authorities announced on Tuesday the killing of seven army personnel and 64 terrorists during anti-terror campaigns across the country.

In a statement, the Egyptian army said at least 59 militants, one army officer and six soldiers were killed in exchange of fire in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula in the past few days.

"During anti-terrorist raids, the national security forces have killed 15 highly dangerous terrorists in North and Central Sinai in several desert areas," said Tamer al-Refai, spokesman of the armed forces.

Some 44 terrorists with explosive devices and weapons in their possession have also been killed wthin the areas of the Second and Third Field Army bases in Sinai, he added.

Some 142 criminals and wanted elements have been arrested in the raids, the spokesman noted.

During the raids, 56 four-wheel-drive vehicles and two arms warehouses were also destroyed, al-Refai said, adding that the forces have detonated 242 explosive devices planted for targeting the soldiers in Sinai.

"Army troops seized 15 vehicles and 43 unlicensed motorbikes that were used by terrorist elements," he revealed.

According to the spokesman, border guards have seized 104 rifles of various types, quantities of ammunition along with 2,666 kg of cannabis, 6,826 kg of marijuana, 43 kg of heroin and opium and 2.5 million drug tablets.

"As many as 2,189 illegal immigrants were caught on various strategic fronts," he added.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian police announced it killed on Tuesday five terrorists affiliated with the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood group in Qalyubia Governorate, north of the capital Cairo.

The terrorists were planning to launch a series of terror attacks on vital installations, according to a statement by Egypt's interior ministry.

The ministry's National Security Department detected a terrorist cell belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood which was planning attacks on vital installations and army and police personnel, the statement said.

According to the ministry, the terrorists were hiding in a deserted factory in Obour city, where they produced explosive devices.

When the police attacked their hideout, the terrorists opened intensive fire, the ministry said, adding that the five terrorists were killed in the shootout.

Firearms, explosives and materials to make bombs were found in their possession.

Terrorism started to grow in Egypt following the military ouster of former Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 in response to mass protests against his one-year rule and his currently banned Muslim Brotherhood.

Terror attacks gradually expanded from North Sinai Province to other provinces including the capital Cairo and started to target the Coptic minority via church bombings and shootings. Enditem

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