Two gunmen killed in a clash in Algiers

Security sources in Algiers said that two of armed Islamists were killed and two police men were strongly injured in a unique clash in the downtown of the capital Algiers on Sunday.

The sources said that rebels expected to be members in al-Salafeyah group for call and fighting which is allied with al-Qaida opened their machinegun fire at a police patrol in the downtown of the capital before they had fled.

The government radio said that the terrorism fighting unit in the army chased the extremists who resorted to a building in the poor area of Balkour.

The Algerian ministry of the interior has not commented immediately on these confrontations which were renewed after they had been notably decreased in the few recent years.

A security source said that special security measures will be applicable during the holy month of Ramadan to withstand any terrorist threat, noting that the attacks have been often escalated during this month.

Hundreds of members are affiliating to "al-Salafeyah Group for the Call and Fighting" which is listed by the US as a terrorist organization.