Algerian troops: kill 14 militants

Algeria has confirmed that 14 armed militants have been killed since March and a big load of war arsenal discovered in the south-eastern province of El Oued as part of a wide scale counter-terrorism operation.

The Defense Ministry said in a statement in Algiers on Monday that detectives also discovered another larger arms bunker in a remote area in El Oued province.

The statement said the arsenal was discovered following revelations of a terrorist before succumbing to his injuries.

It added that the second bunker, which was found on Friday, contained 127 war weapons of various types, a large quantity of ammunition of different calibers and 21 communication means.

The statement said further that the seized arsenal was believed to be smuggled from violence-ridden Libya after the fall of former leader Muammar Gaddafi.

Algeria said it had been deploying more troops on the eastern borderline to prevent intrusion of arms and militants, amid unstable security situation in neighbouring Tunisia, and a civil war in neighbouring Libya.

Intelligence reports revealed that foreign terrorist groups were plotting to send their militants to Algeria to carry out attacks.

(Xinhua/NAN)