afrol News, 6 January - Armed militants have abducted an Algerian engineer working for Canadian construction firm SNC-Lavalin in Bouira region, about 150 km (90 miles) southeast of the Algerian capital, local media has reported.

The kidnapping which took place on Monday morning according to local newspaper reports is not yet claimed by any militant group operating in the region.

The newspapers said the man had been working on a project to build a water treatment plant in the Bouira region and that he was seized on his way to work.

Algeria Officials said security forces had launched an operation to find the man.

SNC-Lavalin is one of the biggest foreign players in Algeria's infrastructure sector. Its projects in the North African country include water desalination plants, gas treatment facilities and housing construction.

Seven police who were killed in an insurgent attack in October last year were part of a unit escorting private security contractors working for the Canadian company, local media reported at the time.

Both the October attack and Monday's reported kidnapping happened in the mountainous area which al Qaeda militants have used as a stronghold.

Insurgents affiliated with al Qaeda carry out sporadic bombings and kidnappings in Algeria, though the level of violence has subsided dramatically in the past few years.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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