47 Islamic Militants Slain in 2 Clashes

Security forces killed at least 47 Islamic militants, most during an operation in western Algeria, newspapers reported. The reports said 43 militants were killed during a clash in Relizane, about 160 miles southwest of Algiers, the capital. Security forces also reportedly killed at least four militants in the Casbah district of Algiers while pursuing guerrillas believed to have been responsible for the earlier shooting deaths of three police officers. The militants want to overthrow the military-backed government and install an Islamic state.