14 militants killed, large war arsenal discovered in southern Algeria

Algeria said on Sunday 14 armed militants have been killed since March and a big load of war arsenal discovered in the southeastern province of El Oued as part of a wide scale counter-terrorism operation.

"After killing 14 terrorists last month in the locality of Kouinine and retrieving a large consignment of arms and ammunition, detectives discovered another larger arms bunker in a remote area in El Oued province," the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

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

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, it added.

The seized arsenal is believed to be smuggled from violence-ridden Libya after the fall of former leader Muammar Gaddafi.

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

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

Source: XINHUA