ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) — Algerian authorities say they have killed a long-time extremist fighter in a military operation west of Algiers.

Mouloud Baal, also known as "El Moundhir," was a former member of the Armed Islamic Group, which tried to bring down the Algerian state during the 1990s.

Algeria's defense ministry said in a statement that "a dangerous terrorist" was "neutralized" on Sunday near the town of Gouraya, about 170 kilometers (105 miles) west of the Algerian capital.

Baal also played a role in the suicide attacks against the Cherchell military academy in 2011 whose responsibility was claimed by Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb.

The ministry added in Monday's statement that a Kalashnikov-type assault rifle and ammunition were seized during the operation.

This story has been corrected to show that Baal was killed in the operation on Sunday, not Monday.