Algiers/Paris - Algerian authorities reported Friday that 19 people were killed in an attack on Algerian gendarmes on the two days prior.

The official Algerian news agency APS reported officials sources as saying the dead included 18 of the gendarmes who were escorting a group of Chinese workers and one civilian.

Security sources had initially spoke of 24 dead.

Six gendarmes and two civilians were injured in the attack by suspected Islamist terrorists.

The attack took place late Wednesday near the city of Bordj Bou Arreridj, about 130 kilometres south-east of the capital Algiers.

Witnesses told the Arab-language daily Echourouk that the attack began with a series of bomb explosions that were followed by volleys of automatic weapons fire.

Search for the attackers was ongoing, the government said. On Thursday, Algerian troops combed a 60-kilometre area east of Bouira for militants, with local media reporting some skirmishes taking place.(dpa)