DHAKA: The Egyptian military says it has killed the head of the Sinai branch of so-called Islamic State (IS), along with dozens of its fighters.

It said Abu Duaa al-Ansari was killed in a series of air strikes on fighters of the Sinai Province - or Ansar Beit al-Maqdis – group, reports the BBC.

The air strikes targeted jihadist strongholds near the town of El-Arish.

Sinai Province is Egypt's most active insurgent group and has been linked to deadly attacks in Sinai and Cairo.

The Egyptian military said: “The raids left more than 45 terrorists killed, dozens of others injured and several arms caches destroyed.”

Brig. Gen. Mohammed Samir said in a posting on Facebook that Ansari was killed in an operation guided by “accurate intelligence”.

The posting did not say when the operation was carried out.

BDST: 0136 HRS, AUG 05, 2016
SR