JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli troops shot and killed three militants attempting to infiltrate the country from Egypt on Friday, thwarting a major terror attack, the military said.

Military spokeswoman Lt. Col. Avital Leibovich said the militants were armed with weapons and were wearing explosive belts and flak jackets. She said they opened fire on troops guarding a team of workers building a border fence between Israel and Egypt’s lawless Sinai desert. The Israeli troops returned fire, killing the militants.