According to Egyptian security sources, an attack conducted by Daesh in the Northern Sinai town of el-Arish claimed the lives of at least 19 policemen. 

Militants detonated a roadside bomb near the town, reportedly destroying three armored vehicles, and a fourth which contains signal-jamming equipment. 

Following the blast, militants opened fire on any survivors of from the explosion. 

"When police forces dealt with the vehicle, it exploded and caused damages to the patrol's vehicles," stated the Ministry of Interior. "This was followed by a shootout between the police officers and the terrorists, resulting in the death and injury of several policemen."

Although the Ministry did not confirm the number of casualties, the BBC suggests it may have been the deadliest attack on security forces in Sinai since July, when 23 soldiers were killed in a suicide car bombing targeting a checkpoint near Egypt's border with Gaza. 

Investigators received information of Daesh militants travelling from northern Sinai to Cairo, in preparation for planned attacks on neighboring provinces.