Algerian troops arrest foreign fighter, retrieve war weapons on Malian border

Algerian counter-terrorism troops arrested a foreign militant in the southernmost locality of Bordj Badji Mokhtar, near the border with Mali, after clashing with a group of terrorists, the defense ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

As part of the fight against terrorism and securing borders, a unit of the People's National Army patrolling near the Malian border on Friday clashed with a group of terrorists, the statement said.

The troops managed to arrest one foreign fighter and retrieve his Kalashnikov submachine gun, four magazines, three radio sets and two binoculars, as well as a large quantity of ammunition, it said.

Earlier on Saturday, the defense ministry said the army troops discovered a bunker full of war weapons and ammunition on the border with Mali.

Algeria has been deploying hundreds of thousands of troops along the Malian and Libyan borders to foil intrusion of arms and terrorists.

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

source: Xinhua