Tunisia security forces kill nine 'Islamists' Published duration 19 October 2013

image copyright AFP image caption The operation against the militants "has been a success", Tunisian officials say

Tunisian security forces have killed at least nine suspected Islamist militants who are blamed for a deadly attack on a police patrol, officials say.

They say at least three other suspects were arrested in the operation in the Mount Taouyer area, about 70km (44 miles) west of the capital, Tunis.

Two policemen died when they were attacked in the area on Thursday.

Interior Ministry spokesman Mohamed Ali Aroui said the militants belonged to the Salafist Ansar al-Sharia group.

The group has been declared a terrorist organisation by the government and the interior ministry spokesman told reporters on Saturday that the three-day operation "has been a success".

About two tonnes of materials used to make explosives were also seized.

The killing of the two police officers led to an angry response from security forces when Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki, Prime Minister Ali Larayedh and other senior officials attended a memorial service for the men on Friday.

The leaders were forced to leave the ceremony because of the hostility.

Ansar al-Sharia has been blamed for the murders of two secular opposition politicians earlier this year.

Their deaths also triggered mass protests against Tunisia's Islamist-led government.

Several other militant groups - including al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb - also operate in the region.

But the latest clashes were significantly closer to the capital than previous fighting with suspected Islamists.

Since the popular revolt that sparked the "Arab Spring" in 2011, Tunisia has seen a rise in attacks by militants.