‘Terrorist attack’ kills 6 Tunisia security forces says ministry
A national guard border patrol in the Ain Sultan area of the Jenduba border province 'was hit in a landmine ambush that killed six agents'.
A picture taken on April 7, 2015, shows an unexploded rocket in field near the village of Dmitrivka. As a tenuous ceasefire brings a lull to Ukraine’s yearlong conflict between pro-Russian rebels and Ukrainian troops, the lurking danger of landmines threatens lives as well as economic recovery, particularly on once rich agricultural lands. AFP PHOTO / DIMITAR DILKOFF
Six members of Tunisia’s security forces were killed Sunday in a “terrorist attack” near the border with Algeria, the interior ministry said, updating an earlier toll.
A national guard border patrol in the Ain Sultan area of the Jenduba border province “was hit in a landmine ambush that killed six agents”, the ministry said.
It said the attack took place at 11:45 am (1045 GMT).
Ministry spokesman General Sufyan al-Zaq said the blast was a “terrorist attack” and that assailants had “opened fire on security forces” after the mine exploded.
“Combing operations” were underway, said Zaq, who earlier told AFP that eight guards had been killed.
The attack, for which there was no immediate claim of responsibility, comes as Tunisia prepares for the summer tourist season.
Since its 2011 revolution, jihadist attacks in Tunisia have killed dozens of members of the security forces and 59 foreign tourists.
The country has been under a state of emergency since November 2015 when a suicide bombing in Tunis claimed by the Islamic State group killed 12 presidential guards.
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