Algerian security forces killed three armed Islamist militants and arrested two others in separate operations during the weekend, newspapers reported on Sunday. The reports said two were killed on Friday in Had Chekala in the Relizane district about 300 kilometers west of the capital of Algiers.
Another was killed in Boudkou, in the Berber region near Tizi Ouzou east of Algiers. In the meantime, state television announced the arrest of two "extremely dangerous" members of a group of 16 militants wanted in connection with a spate of killings in the Algiers district in recent weeks in which over 100 people died, according to AFP.
The two confessed on television to alleged membership of the Armed Islamic Group (GIA), and stated they had carried out killings in recent months. Their confessions were made in a documentary film shown by the Algerian information ministry.
The cell was smashed this month following revelations by an extremist who had turned state witness. One gang member was quoted as saying orders to the cell had come directly from new GIA chief Rachid Abou Tourab, who had allegedly ordered them to kill "without exception". (Albawaba.com)
