CAIRO, Jul 27 (Aswat Masriya) – Three civilians were killed in a blast in North Sinai's town of al-Arish on Wednesday, the state-owned MENA news agency reported.

Security forces were notified that an explosive device detonated in al-Arish resulting in the death of three civilians, according to MENA.

The Ministry of Interior has not issued a statement yet regarding the incident.

Militancy inside Egypt has seen a significant rise since the military ouster of President Mohamed Mursi in July 2013, following mass protests against his rule.

Most of the insurgent activities which target security personnel and facilities occur in the restive Sinai Peninsula, particularly in North Sinai.

Police officers have been subjected to shootings and successive blasts that targeted checkpoints and police stations.

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.

On Jul. 12, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi extended the state of emergency imposed in several parts of the Sinai Peninsula for another three months.