ALGIERS, April 27: Algerian forces killed 14 Al Qaeda fighters and destroyed a number of hideouts in mountains east of Algiers, newspapers reported on Sunday.

Four militants, including a leading member of Al Qaeda’s north Africa wing, were killed by the army last week in El Oued province, 700km southeast of Algiers, El Khabar and Echorouk said, citing security sources.

The military, backed by helicopters, also killed 10 radicals Al Qaeda men and destroyed several hideouts in a separate operation during the same week in Boumerdes province, about 50km east of Algiers, El Khabar said.

Four soldiers were wounded in the Boumerdes operation, which is still going on in surrounding mountainous areas, the Arabic-language daily added.

The killings were the largest reported clash between security forces and Al Qaeda fighters since early April when security forces killed 10 rebels they said had been planning suicide attacks in the capital Algiers.

Algeria, a member of Opec, plunged into violence in 1992 after a military-backed government scrapped legislative elections an Islamist party was set to win. Up to 200,000 people have been killed in subsequent violence.—Reuters