Up to 17 militants were killed in clashes with security men in North Sinai Wednesday in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks that targeted five checkpoints in the governorate early in the day, Military Spokesman Mohamed Samir said.

Samir added that this move came as part of the army's endeavors to pursue perpetrators of the heinous attack.

"Clashes are still ongoing between the servicemen and terrorists," he said, expecting the death toll to increase in the coming hours.