14 soldiers killed in terrorist attack in Algeria

Algiers: At least 14 troops were killed in a clash with a terrorist group in the Tizi Ouzou province of Algeria, media reported Sunday.

The soldiers were killed Saturday night during a clash between the army and a large terrorist group, Xinhua reported. The gun battle erupted when the troops were concluding a sweeping operation in the region. The clash lasted for a couple of hours. The country`s defence ministry, however, had not yet issued any statement on the attack. The al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), an Islamist militant organization which aims to overthrow the Algerian government and institute an Islamic state, is currently engaged in an anti-government campaign in various parts of the north African country.