140 militants killed, 49 arrested in Algeria in 2013

The Algerian joint forces has killed 140 militants from January to September this year, during operations against terrorist groups, mostly near the borders with Mali, Tunisia and Libya, a security source said Wednesday. A total of 49 individuals were arrested over charges of belonging to terrorist groups and trafficking arms, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. Early this year, army forces killed 46 militants linked to al- Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), during various operation in the southern region, the source added. The Algerian army forces managed to foil attempts of weapon smuggling across the borders with Libya and Mali, and arrested several traffickers linked to AQIM, while a large number of arms and ammunition were seized. Meanwhile, the Algerian army forces intensified their presence along the eastern and southern borders amid the security unrest in Tunisia, Libya and Mali, the source said.