Algerian troops kill 6 terrorists near Tunisian border

Algerian army troops on Monday killed six terrorists in El Oued province, 715 km southeast of Algiers, near the border with Tunisia, Defense Ministry said in a statement.

As many as five Kalashnikov submachine guns, three FMPK machine guns, an automatic pistol, two SUV vehicles and a large quantity of ammunition of different calibers were seized, the source added.

Two weeks ago, army troops killed three terrorists and recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition in the same province.

In recent months, army troops have been intensifying security on the borderline with Tunisia and Libya over intelligence reports of potential intrusions of armed groups into Algeria.

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika on Sunday chaired a meeting with top government and military officials to discuss developments of the security situation in the region.

Bouteflika demanded intensified efforts to strengthen security across the country, including on border with troubled nations.

The meeting came three days after a terrorist attack that targeted a gas field in the south of the country. The terrorist group of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb claimed responsibility for the attack, which caused no human or material damage.

Located in a region plagued by unprecedented security and political instability, Algeria faces ongoing terrorist threats. Endit