ALGIERS, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Algerian army troops on Friday captured four armed militants, including a leader of a terrorist group, during two separate operations, Defense Ministry said in a statement.
The source noted that "A dangerous leader of a terrorist organization activating in the Sahel region surrendered on Friday morning to the military authorities in the southernmost province of Tamanrasset."
This terrorist is identified as Laarbi khelifa, alias Abu Ayoub, who joined terrorist camps in 2010, the statement specified.
Meanwhile, another three terrorists were captured by army troops on Friday in Jijel province, 370 km eastern Algiers, the statement said.
Three Kalashnikov-type machine guns and 155 bullets, a pair of binoculars and three mobile phones were retrieved so far during this operation which is still underway.
Algeria has deployed tens of thousands of troops on the southern and eastern borderline, in a bid to thwart the intrusion of terrorists and arms, amid instability reigning in Mali and civil war hitting Libya.
Yet, the North African nation has opened safe routes to encourage terrorists to lay down their arms, in exchange of fair trials.
In this regard, Defense Ministry has called upon "remnants of terrorists to surrender to the security authorities and seize the opportunity to benefit from the current regulations."
Located in a region plagued by unprecedented security and political instability, Algeria faces ongoing terrorist threats.
