An Egyptian soldier was killed by a sniper shooting in the lawless Sinai Peninsula where the army has been waging a relentless campaign to root out extremist militants.

The 20-year-old conscript was killed while training at a military camp in Sheikh Zuwayed, a security official said.

"He was shot in the head," the official said, adding the nature of the wound indicated the bullet had been fired from altitude.

Egypt's army has poured troops and armor into the Sinai to crush militant activity which has surged since the military overthrew toppled president Mohammad Mursi on July 3.

A subsequent crackdown on Mursi’s Muslim Brotherhood supporters has resulted in more than 1,000 people being killed and more than 2,000 arrested nationwide.
Dozens of soldiers and policemen have also been killed in near daily attacks in the Sinai.