Tunisian troops kill 'suspected terrorist'
The Tunisian National Guard has been monitoring 'terrorist elements' in the north-west of the country and has killed at least one, according to security officials.
2 min read
The Tunisia National Guard were monitoring terrorist suspects in northwest Tunisia [Anadolu]
One suspected "foreign terrorist" was killed and others injured by security forces in an operation in the northwest of Tunisia on Sunday.
The security operation was still in progress on Monday evening in an area between Mount Serj and Mount Ballouta in Siliana province, and the number of casualties may rise, an officer in the Tunisian National Guard said.
General Khalifa al-Shibani told The New Arab that "suspected terrorists" were being monitored by the National Guard in Mount Serj on Sunday night, but they were not able to identify their numbers and identities in the dark.
He said that the Tunisian forces were able to kill one and injure others without suffering any casualties in their own ranks.
The mountain was still being searched on Monday and Shibani expected to find more "terrorist elements" among the dead.
Interior Ministry spokesman Walid Louguini told Mosaique FM late on Sunday: "Security forces were able to shoot and kill a terrorist element who, according to an initial assessment, appears to be a foreigner."
They seized a Kalashnikov assault rifle, a hand-grenade and another explosive device, he said.
Islamist militants have killed dozens of police and soldiers since the 2011 revolution that ousted longtime dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
Last year alone, the Islamic State group claimed attacks on the national museum in Tunis and a popular resort hotel, killing a total of 59 tourists, and the suicide bombing of a bus carrying presidential guards, in which 12 died.
With agencies
The security operation was still in progress on Monday evening in an area between Mount Serj and Mount Ballouta in Siliana province, and the number of casualties may rise, an officer in the Tunisian National Guard said.
General Khalifa al-Shibani told The New Arab that "suspected terrorists" were being monitored by the National Guard in Mount Serj on Sunday night, but they were not able to identify their numbers and identities in the dark.
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Security forces were able to shoot and kill a terrorist element who, according to an initial assessment, appears to be a foreigner |  |
He said that the Tunisian forces were able to kill one and injure others without suffering any casualties in their own ranks.
The mountain was still being searched on Monday and Shibani expected to find more "terrorist elements" among the dead.
Interior Ministry spokesman Walid Louguini told Mosaique FM late on Sunday: "Security forces were able to shoot and kill a terrorist element who, according to an initial assessment, appears to be a foreigner."
They seized a Kalashnikov assault rifle, a hand-grenade and another explosive device, he said.
Islamist militants have killed dozens of police and soldiers since the 2011 revolution that ousted longtime dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
Last year alone, the Islamic State group claimed attacks on the national museum in Tunis and a popular resort hotel, killing a total of 59 tourists, and the suicide bombing of a bus carrying presidential guards, in which 12 died.
With agencies
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