Three policemen were killed and five others injured in a militant attack east of Cairo early Tuesday, according to Egypt's interior ministry.

Axar.az reports citing Anadolu news agency.

Gunmen opened fire from two speeding cars on a security patrol, killing three police personnel and fled the scene, the ministry said in a statement.

Security forces traded fire with the attackers, the statement said, but gave no details about any injuries among the militants.

There was no claim of responsibility for the attack.

The attack was the first since Egyptian authorities declared a state of emergency last month following two deadly church attacks, which killed more than 45 people.

Egypt has been roiled by turmoil, particularly in the Sinai Peninsula, since the military deposed president Mohamed Morsi in a military coup in 2013.