2 Algerian army officers killed by militants

ALGIERS, Algeria – An Algerian army official says two officers have been killed and two wounded when their car was hit by a mortar blast.

The official said Friday the car was hit by a shell from a homemade launcher in the region of Boumerdes, 35 miles (50 kilometers) east of the capital, killing the two officers in the front seat.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak to the media, added the army personnel were driving a civilian car. The heavily forested Boumerdes region is often the scene of clashes between militants and security forces.

Algeria is holding legislative elections on May 10 even as sporadic attacks by the local branch of al-Qaida continue.