Algiers, May 6 (IANS) Algerian troops Monday killed nine militants in the southernmost province of Tamenrasset, near border with Mali, the media reported.

The operation took place in a locality of Tinzaouatine, Xinhua reported citing Alhadath news website. As many as eight weapons were seized, including Kalashnikov guns and two RPG7 rockets.

More Algerian troops were deployed on the border with Mali and Libya to counter any intrusion of militants from these two troubled countries.

A couple of days ago, Algerian army troops arrested 20 armed men and seized their weapons on border with Libya.

The Algerian forces killed five militants belonging to the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO) last year, as they attempted to intrude Algeria territory via the Malian border.