CAIRO, Dec. 7 (Aswat Masriya) - An explosive device planted on the side of the ring road in North Sinai's al-Arish detonated in the later hours of Sunday, killing one policeman and injuring four others, the interior ministry said on Monday.

The explosive device was planted by "unidentified individuals", the ministry said in a statement on its Facebook page, adding that the injured were hospitalised.

Aswat Masriya could not independently verify the content of the police statement. Anti-terrorism legislation imposes heavy fines on news organizations that contradict official statements, specifically death tolls and other casualties.

State news agency MENA said the device was planted by "takfiri" individuals, who adhere to a very strict understanding of Islam, which they say permits them to fight in the name of religion. 

A police vehicle was passing by when the explosive device detonated, not far from the police club, MENA said.

Last month, three policemen and the perpetrator were killed in a suicide bombing outside the police club. 

Also in November, attacks on North Sinai’s Swiss Inn Hotel left seven killed, in addition to the three militants involved in the attacks. 

The hotel housed judges overseeing parliamentary elections and journalists covering the electoral process. Two judges were killed in the high profile incident. 

Militancy inside Egypt has surged since the military ouster of former president Mohamed Mursi in July 2013. While the vast majority of bombings and shootings take place in North Sinai, other parts of the country have been affected too.

Security personnel are the main targets of attacks but in May, three prosecutors and a driver were killed when gunmen opened fire on their vehicle in North Sinai's Arish city.

Egyptian authorities say they have killed hundreds of militants in Sinai in security crackdowns.