Algerian forces kill 6 radicals

Algerian security forces killed 6 suspected terrorists on Wednesday on the outskirts of Algiers, La Tribune reported yesterday. "A group of a 5 fundamentalists was intercepted by security forces near Larbaa village. The 5 armed men were killed during an exchange of fire with security forces," the paper said.

Larbaa lies some 16 miles south of Algeria. La Tribune said another rebel was also killed by security forces in the same area. The terrorists were apparently planning to perpetrate a massacre in the neighboring hamlet of Djboulon, it added.

El Watan paper said yesterday that last Sunday 11 civilians were killed at a false checkpoint near Djelfa, some 235 miles south of Algiers. The paper said the 11 were traders traveling in 3 vehicles, their attackers knifed them to death and stole their goods, Al Ahram daily said today.