Egyptian security officials say suspected Islamist militants attacked a police patrol along a pipeline in the Sinai Peninsula that transports natural gas to Jordan, wounding seven policemen.

Intelligence officials say the routine police convoy of four vehicles came under fire Friday near Egypt's border with Israel in central Sinai.

The pipeline they were monitoring has come under attack more than a dozen times in the past two years.

Officials say several of the policemen, including a high ranking officer, were seriously wounded. No further details were given. The officials spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to speak to media.

Just last month, Egypt said it would boost its gas supply after complaints by Jordan over the interruption of supplies due to pipeline attacks.