CAIRO, Oct 2 (Aswat Masriya) - A Central Security Forces conscript was shot dead on Thursday night in North Sinai following a confrontation with smugglers, said an Interior Ministry statement.  

The security forces are combing the area to find the culprits. 

Militants have stepped up their attacks against security forces in Sinai since the ouster of President Mohamed Mursi in July 2013. 

Aswat Masriya could not independently verify the content of this statement. Anti-terrorism legislation imposes heavy fines on news organizations that contradict official statements.