Islamic State terrorists. Photo: Screenshot.

Five people including four police personnel were killed on Tuesday when a suspected militant blew himself up near a market in the North Sinai town of Sheikh Zuweid, three security sources said.

The head of investigations in the town and his assistant were among those killed, the sources said, adding several people were wounded. No official statement has yet been given by the interior ministry.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack and said 15 people were killed or wounded. It identified the attacker as Abu Hagar al-Masry and said he had detonated an explosive vest when he was near a police foot patrol.

Egypt is battling an Islamist militant insurgency that has carried out attacks mainly in the remote Sinai Peninsula, where the military has been conducting a major security operation since February 2018.