ALGIERS, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The chief of Algeria's police Ali Tounsi was shot dead on Thursday at his office in the capital by one of his aides, local Echorouk newspaper reported.

According to the paper, Colonel Ali Tounsi was gunned down by head of the police helicopter unit Weldtash Shoeib during a meeting at the former's office in the police headquarters.

Shoeib, a 64-year-old retired army colonel, was hired by the Directorate General of National Security (DGSN) to be in charge of the police's chopper unit, sources told the paper.

Eyewitnesses said that Shoeib asked for a private talk with Tounsi prior to a meeting of senior security officials, where it was set to discuss penalties against Shoeib over irregularities.