19 gunmen killed in clash with Mexican soldiers

Monterrey (Mexico), Sep 16 (IANS/EFE) Nineteen suspected cartel gunmen were killed in a clash with the military in Mexico’s northeastern state of Nuevo Leon, officials said.

The incident took place late Wednesday when the soldiers came across a convoy of several vehicles carrying armed men.

The state Attorney General’s Office said that following the attack authorities stepped up security measures in Monterrey, Mexico’s third city, which like the rest of Mexico is celebrating the country’s bicentennial Thursday.

Due to the possibility of attacks by criminal gangs, security forces aided by three helicopters were closely monitoring the city, which has seen more than 500 homicides in recent months, most attributed to turf battles among drug cartels.

–IANS/EFE