ALGIERS, March 16, 2016
Algerian military officials said they killed a militant leader who joined Islamic State militant group in an army operation, west of the Algerian capital.
The militant leader known as Mouloud Baal or Abou El Moundhir, was a former member of the dreaded extremist Armed Islamic Front (GIA) which battled the Algiers government in 1990s.
Mouloud Baal formed his own militant group later which participated in attacks including the twin suicide attacks against Algeria's Cherchell military institution in August 2011 which Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM claimed responsibility).
According to police reports, Baal is believed to have joined Islamic State in 2015.
Baal was killed on Sunday 13th March 2016 during a military raid in the Oued-Sebt area of Gouraya region, west of Algiers, military source revealed.
The military forces launched an operation in the same area where Baal’s men planted roadside bomb targeting a police convoy two weeks ago.
According the defence ministry a “dangerous terrorist" was killed in the Oued-Sebt operation and a Kalashnikov assault rifle and ammunition seized.
The defence ministry also said a total of "157 terrorists, including 10 commanders" were killed in military operations in 2015 alone.
