Algerian army kills more militants, total of 25 in 2 days
May 20, 2015, 7:54 AM
ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) — The Algerian Defense Ministry says its forces have killed three more militants just east of the capital Algiers, bringing the total slain over the past two days to 25.
Acting on intelligence tips, the Algerian army ambushed a meeting of militants in the Boukram forest in Boumerdes, just 13 miles (20 kilometers) from the Algerian capital on Tuesday.
Wednesday’s statement said further sweeps in the area had netted more militants. The meeting was allegedly about planning attacks on the capital.
The statement said more than a dozen Kalashnikov assault rifles were recovered, along with shotguns, a sniper rifle, ammunition and grenades. Two militants were captured alive.
The operation was one of the most deadly anti-terror raids ever reported by the Algerian military.
Algeria has been battling radical Islamists for years.
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