A total of 13 policemen were killed and 10 others were injured in an attack on a checkpoint in Egypt's North Sinai, medical and security sources said Sunday.

The attack happened immediately after sunset prayer during Iftar when the policemen were suddenly attacked. After exchanging fire, the attackers fled away and the security forces were still pursuing them.

The sources said an armored vehicle was stolen from the scene.

The injured are in serious condition. Four of them was being treated in Arish and six others in Rafah, a medical source said.

Security sources said the Jihad movement was responsible for the attack and their members used automatic weapons at the checkpoint at Liberty Square, south of Rafah City.

Since the turmoil early last year, security situation in Sinai has deteriorated. Hardline Islamists belonging to Jihad movement attacked police stations while local Bedouins committed several kidnappings of foreign tourists. The pipeline which exported natural gas to Israel and Jordan was also attacked more than ten times.