Cairo, Sep 10 (IANS): At least 30 militants were killed and 41 suspects were arrested in a major anti-terrorism operation launched by the Egyptian security forces in North Sinai, military spokesman Mohamed Samir said in a statement on Wednesday.

"The forces destroyed three vehicles and 32 motorbikes used by the militants in their terrorist and criminal attacks and also ruined 80 huts and hideouts of the terrorists," the statement said, noting that the militants started the shooting at the forces that dealt with them, Xinhua reported.

In the first two days of the operation that started early Monday, the security forces killed 56 and arrested over 150 militants during the raids that included North Sinai's towns of Rafah, Sheikh Zuweid and Arish.

A military officer and a soldier were killed during the operation.

The spokesman added that the forces managed to defuse 18 explosive devices planted by the extremists to target security forces, destroy a storehouse of 300 kg of explosives and nails and ruin five tunnel openings used by the militants to hide their men, vehicles and bikes.

Egypt has been suffering anti-government armed attacks that killed hundreds of police and army men since the army removed former Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 in response to mass protests.

Later crackdown on Morsi's supporters left more than 1,000 dead and thousands more arrested.