A bomb exploded near an army checkpoint on Tuesday morning in the Northern Sinai city of Rafah, killing an army officer and wounding five soldiers, security sources told the state news agency.

The security sources added that the wounded soldiers were transferred to the hospital to receive the neccessary treatment.

Attacks on security personnel have risen sharply in the Sinai Peninsula since the ouster of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi on July 3 following mass protests against his rule.

The police and army intensified their presence and began a massive campaign in August to capture all assailants and restore order to the lawless region.