The Algerian army has killed 16 armed Islamist fighters during an operation in the mountains of Blida province, about 100 kilometres south of Algiers, local media reported Tuesday. The 16 militants belonged to the same group and were killed near Soulahane on Saturday during a search operation that has been under way for several days, newspapers and the state-owned Chaine III radio reported.
According to AFP, earlier reports said seven men perished.
A first militant was killed on Thursday before the army took the rest of the group by surprise on Saturday.
Interior Minister Yazid Zerhouni said on Sunday that some 120 Islamist militants have been killed by security forces since September, including "major terrorist leaders".
© 2009 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
