NORTH SINAI, Aug 4 (Aswat Masriya) - At least 11 "terrorists" were killed in a security crackdown in several areas in North Sinai, the army spokesperson said in a statement on Monday.

"The security forces had a fire exchange with terrorists in their hideouts," Mohamed Samir explained in the statement published on the Armed Forces official Facebook page.

Since former President Mohamed Mursi's ouster last July, militants in Sinai escalated their attacks on army and police forces and installations.

Islamist militants in Sinai have claimed responsibility for several attacks and bombings in Cairo as well as other cities.