(MENAFN- Arab News) CAIRO/EL-ARISH: At least a roadside bomb in the restive Sinai Peninsula has killed seven Egyptian security force personnel and seriously wounded four medical and security sources said.

They were killed by a remotely detonated roadside bomb on Sunday that exploded as a patrol responsible for protecting a natural gas pipeline passed by the sources said.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The blast occurred southwest of provincial capital Al-Arish where two policemen were killed when their patrol car was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade three days ago.

The explosion ripped through the military armored vehicle traveling south of Al-Arish which is the provincial capital of northern Sinai. The troops were heading to an area to comb it for suspected militant activities. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief reporters.

Northern Sinai has been a haven for militants who have waged regular attacks against troops and security forces.

Security forces face insurgency that has killed hundreds of soldiers and policemen.

Most attacks occur in the Sinai Peninsula which borders Israel and the Gaza Strip as well as near Egypt's Suez Canal.

Security officials say Sinai-based militants are inspired by the IS radical group that controls parts of Iraq and Syria and wants to redraw the map of the Middle East.