Algeria/Paris - At least 18 suspected terrorists were killed during Algerian army operations in the eastern part of the country, Algerian media reported Sunday.

The dead were believed to belong to al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, the reports said.

About 6,000 soldiers have been engaged in operations in the area for the past week, reacting to an attack in which four security officials were wounded.

Army officials have reported finding multiple stockpiles of hidden weapons, which troops destroyed.(dpa)