ALGIERS, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- Algerian army has killed four terrorists in clashes in the northern province of Tipaza, which also left an army officer dead, local el-Khabar newspaper reported Saturday.

During a combing operation by army forces on Thursday night in the mountainous area of Wad Herar, a fierce exchange of fire erupted with a group of up to twenty terrorist elements, the paper quoted unidentified security sources as saying.

The shootout that lasted for over 30 minuets left four terrorists and an army officer dead.

Two soldiers and as many terrorists were also wounded in the confrontation, the sources noted. However, the two injured militants managed to flee the scene.

The forces are currently tracking down the militants who fled into nearby woods in the area, the sources added.

Meanwhile, a security source told the paper that Algerian security forces arrested eight suspects over charges of joining a terrorist group in the northern province of M'sila.

The troops also recovered explosive-making materials and seditious flyers that were in the group's possession.

Among the detainees were suspects with terrorism-related criminal records, the source added.

Algerians have faced an increasing threat by Islamist militants since the 1990s. The security forces have recently launched massive military operations against pro-al-Qaida groups, including al-Qaida in Islamic Maghreb.