SANAA, Yemen, MAR 22 (AP/UNB) - Yemeni officials say navy ships have shelled coastal regions in the southern province of Abyan, killing 29 al-Qaida militants.

Military and security officials say the rocket and artillery shelling was spread out over a 24-hour period that ended on Thursday. They say the shelling targeted al-Qaida positions around the city of Zinjibar, Abyan's provincial capital.

Zinjibar is one of several southern towns captured last year by al-Qaida militants seeking to profit from the country's political turmoil.

The officials also say the militants have executed a senior security officer who was kidnapped in the town of Mukkala in the southeast Hadramout province.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.