DHAKA: Egypt has declared a three-month state of emergency in parts of the Sinai Peninsula after at least 31 soldiers were killed in two attacks there.

President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has declared three days of mourning in the wake of the suspected jihadist attacks.

Egypt's Rafah crossing into the Gaza Strip was also closed, state TV said.

It was the biggest loss of life in decades for Egypt's army, which has been carrying out an offensive against jihadists in northern Sinai, reports BBC.

The area has become increasingly lawless since President Hosni Mubarak was overthrown in 2011. Militants have stepped up attacks since Islamist President Mohammed Morsi was ousted by the army last year.

BDST: 1023 HRS, OCT 25, 2014