20110202
Xinhua
NOUAKCHOTT, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Mauritanian army forces on Wednesday destroyed a pickup truck filled with explosives near Nouakchott, killing three passengers, local media reported

A security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said several soldiers were also wounded when the truck exploded about 12 kms south of Nouakchott.

The source said investigators believe the pickup truck contained members of al Qaeda's north African wing and was enroute to Nouakchott to attack a special army unit when it was destroyed.

Another security source said authorities had captured a second vehicle carrying explosives and weapons hours before the explosion and detained several suspected members of al Qaeda's north African wing.