Algerian police killed a suspected extremist in a fire exchange with a radical Islamic group following the kidnapping of a bar owner in northern Algeria, local daily el-Khabar reported Sunday on its website.
The police engaged in a fierce battle with a group of 15 militants after they broke into the bar in Tizi Ouzou province on Friday evening, the
report quoted unidentified local sources as saying.
One of the 15 extremists was killed during the clash, while the rest fled the scene with their victim, who was held for ransom four years ago
after a similar attack, according to the sources.
Algeria and neighbouring countries are facing an increasing threat by radical Islamic groups.
In August, chiefs of staff from Algeria, Mali, Mauritania and Nigeria agreed on launching massive military operations against radical groups along
their joint borders.