Unidentified men hijacked on Thursday a government vehicle in South Sinai.

General Mahmoud al-Hefnawy, director of South Sinai security, received a report from Magdy Moussa, director of Criminal Investigation, saying that a vehicle belonging to the province's governance bureau was hijacked by masked men on Thursday.

The unidentified assailants attacked the vehicle's driver, Ahmed Ibrahim, and his acquaintance, Attorney Ahmed Mostafa, before escaping into the mountains.

The office vehicle was heading to the province's administrative court in Ismaliya when the assault took place, officials said.

Security was enhanced in the province in an attempt to retrieve the stolen vehicle with the assistance of town elders.  

Meanwhile, South Sinai drivers intend to stage a strike on Thursday to protest what they described as the "lack of security" and increasing car thefts.