CAIRO, Feb 17 (Aswat Masriya) Army and police forces arrested 18 people they described as extremists in a security operation in the Sinai Peninsula on Monday, a source from the interior ministry said.

A deputy to the interior minister told Aswat Masriya that the operation came in response to Sunday’s bus blast that left three tourists and one Egyptian dead.

Egypt’s army spokesman said later on Monday that 1,275 tunnels to Gaza have been demolished so far in the troubles peninsula.

Egypt stepped up security efforts in Sinai following the ouster of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi to end increasing attacks on army and police forces.