Algiers: Algerian government forces, stepping up attacks on Al Qaida-aligned armed groups, killed 15 militants and captured seven in the past two days near the Tunisian border, newspapers reported yesterday.
They also seized large quantities of ammunition and destroyed several hideouts in the operation in Tebessa province, east of Algiers, the government-owned Al Moudjahid said, citing a security source.
An army officer was killed in the offensive, which was launched by a combined force of the army, police and municipal guards, based on information provided by a man who had surrendered, the independent newspaper Liberte said.
The rebel group may have had links to a failed assassination attempt on President Abdul Aziz Bouteflika in Batna town in September, said the independent daily Al Watan.
Al Qaida claimed the attempt in Batna by a suicide bomber, in which 22 people were killed, as well as three other suicide bombings this year.
