Twelve members of Egypt's security forces killed in Sinai - medical and security sources

ISMAILIA, Egypt (Reuters) - Suspected Islamic State gunmen killed 12 members of Egypt's military in North Sinai province and wounded six more in an attack on a checkpoint on Friday, the military said, adding that it killed 15 militants in return.

The incident took place 40 km (25 miles) from the town of Bir al-Abd, making it the first major attack in the central Sinai area, which had so far escaped the militant Islamists' campaign.