Two Algerian soldiers have been killed and at least eight others injured in a bomb attack on their convoy, press reports said Monday.

The attack with a remote-controlled improvised explosive device happened on Sunday in Tihammamet, 370 kilometres (230 miles) southwest of Algiers.

The francophone daily El Watan said two troops were killed and eight others injured while the Arabic El Khabar spoke of ten injured troops rushed to military hospitals.

El Khabar said another unexploded bomb was discovered and disposed of.

Last week, Algerian security forces killed a top member of an Al-Qaeda regional offshoot, AQIM, and two accomplices who were trying to reach Algiers in a car laden with explosives, according to government sources.

Several attacks have hit the country's northeast this year, including a spectacular suicide bombing raid on July 16 which targeted a police station in Bordj Menaiel. That suicide raid, claimed by AQIM, killed two people and wounded 14.

Algerian security forces have stepped up security around the country during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan which began Monday.