"This was a very sophisticated attack that we believe took a long time
to execute," a security source said.
At least four people were killed and 20 others were injured in the
multiple bombings. The sources said one of the two AQIM suicide attackers
drove to the police facility and blew up his car about 100 meters away.
Minutes later, another suicide bomber on a motorcycle appeared and drove into the scene of the bombing, which now included ambulances. The AQIM agent blew himself up and at least three police officers and a security guard were killed.
Officials said the Interior Ministry, in cooperation with Algeria's
intelligence community, has assessed that Al Qaida Organization in the
Islamic Maghreb was planning to stage a series of suicide bombings in
Algiers and other major cities. On July 16, AQIM was said to have sent two
suicide bombers to blow themselves up at a police facility in Algiers in
which at least four people were killed and 20 others were injured.
Other threats linked to AQIM included plans to ambush the Algerian
military and police, particularly in the eastern part of the country.
Officials said AQIM could also attack mosques and charities to steal funds
raised during Ramadan.
Officials said the security forces have formed SWAT teams to patrol
Algiers, particularly its open-air markets. The teams were also assigned to
the highway from such AQIM strongholds as the provinces of Boumerdes and
Tizi Ouzou.
"This is a priority for our entire security apparatus," the source said.
The July attack marked the first insurgency strike against a police or military
facility in Algiers since 2001. The last major bombing in Algiers took place in 2007 and about 40 people were killed.
Algeria has placed the army and police on alert for an AQIM offensive.
Security sources said AQIM has been enhanced by the acquisition of missiles
from war-torn Libya.
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