Gunmen killed three policemen in an attack on Wednesday in the North Sinai town of El Arish in Egypt.

Eyewitnesses said assailants opened fire on a military check point. The Egyptian army has tightened security measures and helicopters are reportedly flying low in the region.

The incident took place hours after assailants using mobile anti-aircraft rockets and machineguns attacked an Egyptian army camp in the province.

Eight people -- six soldiers and two civilians -- were also wounded in the attack which occurred in the Sinai border town of Rafah.

Meanwhile, many handmade weapons were captured in the city of Port Said.

There was no immediate word on the identity of the gunmen in either of the attacks.

Egypt's military is preparing to launch an offensive against militants operating in the restive northern province.

Since Egypt's first democratically elected President Mohamed Morsi was ousted on July 3, militant groups have launched almost daily attacks in Sinai, killing several members of security forces and the number of security forces killed has risen to 19.

NJF/NJF