6 Gunmen die in clash with Mexican troops

Mexico City, Agency
Six gunmen were killed in a clash with army troops in the northeastern state of Tamaulipas, Mexico's defense department said Friday.

One soldier was wounded in the engagement in the municipality of Nueva Ciudad Guerrero.

Helicopter-borne troops under the command of the 7th Military Zone were conducting "aerial reconnaissance" Thursday when they detected a vehicle hidden in the vegetation and stopped to investigate, the defense department said in a statement.

On landing to inspect the vehicle, the soldiers "were attacked with gunfire by suspected organized crime elements who sheltered in a structure," the statement continued.

Besides killing six of the assailants, the troops seized seven assault rifles, a grenade-launcher, ammunition and an SUV.

Two powerful drug mobs, the Gulf cartel and Los Zetas, are battling each other for control of the illegal trade in Tamaulipas, which borders Texas.