2 soldiers, 2 gunmen killed in gunbattle in northern Mexico state plagued with drug violence

2 soldiers, 2 gunmen killed in north Mexico clash

MEXICO CITY — The Mexican army says two soldiers and two gunmen died in a shootout in a northern Mexico area that has seen a recent spike in drug violence.

The army says soldiers patrolling in the border state of Nuevo Leon on Tuesday gave chase to six suspicious cars that crossed into neighboring Tamaulipas state, where a gunbattle ensued in the town of Comales.

An army statement Wednesday says three soldiers and several gunmen also were wounded. It says 200 soldiers and two helicopters were deployed to locate the assailants.

The northeastern states of Tamaulipas and Nuevo Leon, across from Texas, have seen a surge of violence in recent weeks that authorities blame on a fight between the Gulf cartel and the Zetas.