Algerian Army Kills Seven Islamic Extremists

Attack is part of a wider offensive against Al Qaeda

(Reuters)—The Algerian army killed seven Islamist militants in their stronghold east of Algiers, the defense ministry said on Wednesday, as government forces stepped up operations against suspected al Qaeda-linked fighters.

It was the largest government offensive against militants since an audacious assault on a desert gas plant in January in which 37 foreigners died.