Three From Egyptian Security Forces Killed

Shot dead in northern Sinai

Three members of Egypt's security forces have been shot dead by gunmen in north Sinai peninsula, officials say.

A fourth was wounded in an attack on their car in the suburbs of El Arish.

Egypt launched an offensive against militants in Sinai following the killing of 16 policemen on the Egyptian-Israeli border in August.

Security in the area has deteriorated since the fall of Hosni Mubarak in February 2011, with Islamists appearing to gain a foothold, analysts say.