Lots of different number being reported today in the Algeria terrorist situation.

Algeria says 600 hostages freed; terrorists say 35 died

The fate of hostages being held at a gas complex deep in the Sahara desert drew conflicting reports Thursday, with an Algerian news service reporting that 600 hostages were freed while militants claimed 35 were killed in an Algerian military raid.

Algerian news service ANP reported that the Algerian military conducted air strikes and a ground operation to free the hostages, who were picked up by military helicopters. It remained unclear if any of the hostages were injured, ANP said.

However, Islamist terrorists told a Mauritanian news outlet that Algerian military helicopters strafed the gas complex, killing 35 foreign hostages and 15 of the kidnappers, the Associated Press is reporting.

Adding to the confusion was and earlier AP report, citing an Algerian official, that as many as 20 foreign hostages, including an unknown number of Americans, had escaped their captors.

A spokesman for the Masked Brigade, which had earlier claimed responsibility for the hostage-taking Wednesday, said Abou El Baraa, the leader of the kidnappers, was among militants killed in the Algerian army’s helicopter attack.

He also said seven hostages survived, including two Americans.