CAIRO, Aug 15 (Aswat Masriya) - A police officer was killed in a landmine explosion in the town of Arish in North Sinai on Monday, Interior Ministry said.

In a statement, the ministry said that security forces were combing the area around a police station in Arish after a group of militants were seen planting an explosive device. 

Security forces dismantled the device and chased the militants, the ministry said. 

In an exchange of fire, one of the militants was injured.

The police officer was killed after a landmine went off during the chase, the ministry added.

North Sinai militants have stepped up attacks targeting security forces since the military ouster of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi in July 2013 after mass protests against his rule.

The group known as "Sinai Province", affiliated with Islamic State fighters in Syria and Iraq, claim most of the attacks in the area.

The military in conjunction with the police forces have embarked on several security campaigns in North Sinai aimed to fight militants. 

According to separate statements by the armed forces, Egyptian security forces have killed hundreds of militants in Sinai over the past two years.