Villagers, Police Slain in Pre-Vote Violence

Two car bombs exploded in a small town in western Algeria, killing at least nine people and wounding 32, hospital officials said. The government did not immediately confirm the attacks in the village of Bou-Hanifia, and there was no immediate claim of responsibility. Suspicion fell on Islamic militants, who have waged a five-year insurgency that has killed more than 60,000 people. Also, the El Watan daily newspaper reported that gunmen had killed four police officers in three attacks around Algiers earlier in the week. More than 440 people have died in recent violence apparently aimed at disrupting elections planned for June 5. Algeria’s insurgents are fighting to oust the military-backed government.