CAIRO, Sept 21 (Aswat Masriya) - An explosion occurred in the vicinity of the ministry of foreign afairs on Sunday, according to the ministy of interior's press office.

The explosion left at least one police officer and a conscript killed, reported state television. 

A security source at the Cairo Security Headquarters told Aswat Masriya the explosion occurred outside the foreign ministry's back door, adding that those killed were from the security personnel guarding the ministry.

The source said that the explosion left seven injured.

The explosion targeted a security checkpoint, reported state-run news agency MENA. 

Egypt's security forces have intensified their security measures in North Sinai in reaction to repeated militant attacks that target army and police officials, which rose significantly since the military ouster of former President Mohamed Mursi last year. The attacks soon expanded to other areas of the country, including the capital.

A fact-sheet prepared by Egypt's ministry of foreign affairs put the death toll for terrorism acts which took place since January 2011 and until April 2014 at 971, including 664 security personnel.