El-Arish is a stronghold of ISIS extremists, who have carried out regular attacks on security forces.

An Egyptian security chief has said suspected militants have gunned down a Coptic Christian teacher on his way to school in northern Sinai.

It is the second incident involving a Christian killed by suspected militants in less than a week.

The security official said the 50-year-old Gamal Tawfiq was shot in the head by two militants on a motorbike who were following him on Thursday morning as he walked from his home to work at el-Somran School in the city of el-Arish.

Authorities suspect ISIS’ affiliate in the Sinai province responsible for the killing.

The school principal confirmed Tawfiq’s death to The Associated Press but declined to give details.

Both the security official and the principal spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to reporters.

El-Arish is a stronghold of ISIS extremists, who have carried out regular attacks on security forces since the military’s July 2013 ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Mursi.