Egypt army launches offensive against militants after deadly mosque attack

CAIRO: The Egyptian air force today gunned down several militants and destroyed their vehicles, hours after 305 worshippers were killed in a terrorist attack at a mosque in the country's restive North Sinai region.

Army spokesperson Tamer el-Refai said in a statement that the air forces launched retaliatory attacks on terror hideouts in the surrounding area of North Sinai, killing militants and destroying vehicles used in the deadly attack.

He said arms and ammunition depots of the militants were also targeted.

At least 300 worshippers were killed and 109 others injured when heavily-armed militants bombed the al-Rowda mosque in Al-Arish city and opened fire on people attending Friday prayers.

Earlier, local media reports quoting sources in the security force said the army launched "immediate and wide" ground and air raids and two drones attacked two vehicles belonging to militants in Al-Resha village near el-Rouda village.

Following the mosque attack, President Abdel Fattah el- Sisi had chaired an emergency meeting with officials to review security situation.

In a statement later, he pledged to respond with "brutal force" against militants.

He had said that the "vile and treacherous" activity would not pass without a decisive punishment.

The Egypt government has announced three days of mourning.