The Egyptian Interior Ministry has said that the country’s police officers have killed 16 gunmen and fugitive militants in two separate shootouts in Northern Sinai.

In a statement released on Sunday, the ministry said that the gunmen opened fire on the policemen as they approached a desert training camp in Ismaila. The officers reportedly returned fire, killing 14 of the militants, five of whom have so far been identified.

The statement also revealed that the camp was used to subject recruits to military training and the use of various types of fire arms and ammunition. Recruits were also trained on how to manufacture explosive devices

It further stated that two men, described as fugitive terrorists were neutralized by security forces in an exchange of gunfire in an apartment located in the city of Gaza where they were hiding.

According to the ministry, the duo belonged to a newly formed militant group known as Hasm which had claimed responsibility for several attacks targeted at judges and policemen since last year.