14 soldiers killed in terrorist attack in Algeria

At least 14 troops were killed in a clash with a terrorist group in the Tizi Ouzou province of Algeria, media reported Sunday.

The soldiers were killed Saturday night during a clash between the army and a large terrorist group, Xinhua reported.

The gun battle erupted when the troops were concluding a sweeping operation in the region.

The clash lasted for a couple of hours.

The country's defence ministry, however, had not yet issued any statement on the attack.

The Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), an Islamist militant organization which aims to overthrow the Algerian government and institute an Islamic state, is currently engaged in an anti-government campaign in various parts of the north African country.