Benghazi, March 25 (IANS): Seven Libyan soldiers were killed and 12 others wounded by a suicide attack on an army checkpoint in the eastern city of Benghazi, according to military sources.

Investigation officer of the army's special forces Fadl Al-Hassi conformed on Tuesday the casualties, saying the suicide bomber used an armored car, Xinhua reported.

Meanwhile, Libyan army spokesperson said the attack occurred in Allaithi area on the road leading to the airport of Benghazi.

Several Libyan IS-affiliated Twitter accounts adopted the attack, saying that "a Khilafa soldier (soldiers of the Caliphate) attacked the walls of the army."

The attack came one day after Mohamed Al-Arebi, also known as Boka, a prominent militia leader, was killed in battle.

Benghazi, the birthplace of the 2011 protests that toppled Libya's former leader Muammar Gaddafi, has since witnessed a drastic escalation of violence.

The city has been a focal point for the clashes between the army and Islamist militants, and is plagued by suicide attacks, assassinations, kidnappings.