Bomb-Laden Car Explodes; 9 Killed

A bomb-laden car exploded Thursday in a crowded square outside Algeria’s police headquarters when a policeman fired at it, state-run radio reported. The blast killed nine people, including the three-man commando team in the car.

More than 100 people were injured by the explosion - the second major bombing in the capital this year. There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but suspicion immediately fell on Islamic extremists engaged in a 3-1/2-year-old insurgency against the military-backed government.

Violence has increased in this north African country as Nov. 16 presidential elections approach.