At least 21 Egyptian soldiers were killed, and four injured late Saturday in an attack by "an armed group" in the country's western desert, an Egyptian military spokesperson said.

 

 "The terrorist group targeted a border guard checkpoint near Al- Farafra Oasis and the fire exchange led to the explosion of an ammunition warehouse," Xinhua quoted Colonel Mohamed Samir as saying, adding that the military forces managed to defuse two car bombs.

 

 Officials said the gunmen used rocket-propelled grenades in their attack against the checkpoint at Al-Wadi al-Gadid (the New Valley) province, about 500 km from Cairo. Three months ago, a similar armed attack that took place at the same area killed five soldiers and an official.