At least 22 militants linked to the so-called ’Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant’ (ISIL) takfiri group have been killed by Algerian troops in a surprise attack, according to the Defense Ministry and security sources.

At least 22 militants linked to the so-called 'Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant' (ISIL) takfiri group have been killed by Algerian troops in a surprise attack, according to the Defense Ministry and security sources.

The militants were attending a meeting east of the capital, Algiers, near Bouira during the ambush, state news agency APS cited the ministry’s statement.

The region is known as the militants’ stronghold.

The operation has been labeled as one of the largest in recent history.

"This is a major counter-terrorism operation, the largest in terms of militants killed in years," a security source told Reuters.

According to the source, it targeted members of the Caliphate Soldiers, which is an Al-Qaeda offshoot that have sworn allegiance to ISIL.

Algerian army is still in pursuit of some of the members of the group.