Four army personnel died and two others were injured due to “technical malfunctions” in a plane they were travelling in on Thursday, according to armed forces spokesman Mohamed Samir.
The incident occurred during the pursuit of “terrorist elements” south east of Siwa Oasis in western Egypt.
The armed forces were able to destroy four vehicles in the area belonging to alleged militants, with border guards seizing five other vehicles.
The armed forces statement was accompanied by two photos, showing armed forces personnel aiming at and destroying one of the vehicles.
Egyptian security forces are currently engaged “in a war against terrorism” across Egypt, particularly in the restive North Sinai peninsula.
A Croatian citizen was taken hostage by Islamic State affiliates in North Sinai, and was reportedly recently decapitated. The group posted photos of the hostage following the decapitation on their affiliated social media accounts.
However, neither the Egyptian Ministry of Interior nor the Croatian embassy in Cairo could confirm the news.
