The French army launched Operation "Timgad" and had no idea that it was about to fall on the meeting of the chiefs of Aurès and Nementchas that Bachir Chihani had organised between 18 and 23 September 1955.

[7] Chihani remained in the cave where they had been hiding, and after the entrance was blown up with dynamite by the French army, he spent six days hidden under the rubble before successfully escaping at night.

[8][9] Inside the cave that had served as headquarters for the local FLN fighters, the French found important documents, including strategic instructions from Ahmed Ben Bella in person.

[11][page needed] According to Algerian sources, the battle was a resounding FLN victory, with losses of the French army were as follows: between 400 and 800 dead and more than 1,500 wounded.

As for the losses of the National Liberation Army, estimates varied, and in general, they range between 60 and 70 dead and 60-90 Wounded, and 15 weapons lost, it was not possible to keep them on the night of going out while on a mule convoy.

The FLN leaders blamed Bachir Chihani for his recklessness in organising a rally as important as the one in El-Djorf, neglecting the basic rules of security, and call for self-criticism on his part, which did not come.