Soldiers exchange fire with suspected smugglers who infiltrated Israel in area where bomb discovered last week

IDF soldiers patrolling the Egyptian border overnight Tuesday shot dead a suspected smuggler who had infiltrated Israel.

According to the army, the soldiers spotted a group of people who had breached the frontier. The suspects ignored the soldiers´ order to stop, prompting the troops to open fire.

One of the suspects was injured during the ensuing exchange of fire and later pronounced dead by IDF medical personnel who were alerted to the scene.

The remaining suspects fled back into Egyptian territory.

The infiltration occurred in an area where a powerful explosive device was discovered by IDF troops last week. The bomb was neutralized by army sappers, and no injuries were reported.

The army said "terror groups are taking advantage of the smuggling phenomenon and the infiltrations into Israeli territory to carry out attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF forces."

Israel is building an electronic barrier along the 150-mile (230- kilometer) border with Egypt to keep out militants and African migrants.

The Sinai Peninsula has become increasingly lawless since Egypt´s longtime President Hosni Mubarak was toppled last year. AP contributed to the report (Copyright 2012 © Yedioth Internet 02/28/12)