Seven killed after gunmen and police exchange fire in Mexico

[News_Editor]

Seven killed after gunmen and police exchange fire in Mexico

2010-12-29 15:07:14 GMT+7 (ICT)

MEXICO CITY (BNO NEWS) -- At least seven people were killed on Tuesday when Mexican federal police clashed with gunmen in its drug-infested northern region, officials said on Wednesday.

The skirmish began around 2 p.m. local time while authorities were conducting a security operation in the Liberacion Social neighborhood, located in the southern part of Durango.

During the operation, a group of gunmen opened fire, creating at least four trenches in which gunfire was exchanged for several hours. At 6 p.m. local time, the gun battle was still underway.

One group of gunmen hid in a residential house where police later seized several black plastic bags. Their content is still unknown.

Several passing vehicles were unable to escape the gunfire and were hit by several shots. Authorities later closed the area to avoid further traffic flow and deployed an air and ground operation to monitor the situation.

Two civilians on a public transportation bus were killed when they came in between the line of fire. Trying to escape the action, the bus driver accelerated but lost control after several gunshots hit the bus. He was killed when he crashed his vehicle into a residential house. One of the passengers, a female, received a gunshot wound and reportedly died a couple hours later at a local hospital.

In addition, two of the seven people killed were police officers. They were later found in their police truck, which was stained by several gunshots. Further information was unavailable as authorities continue to carry out their investigations.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2010-12-29