Mexico: Soldiers kill 25 in gunbattle near border

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Mexico: Soldiers kill 25 in gunbattle near border

By MARK WALSH, Associated Press Writer Mark Walsh, Associated Press Writer – 12

mins ago

MONTERREY, Mexico – Soldiers killed 25 suspected cartel members Thursday in a

raid and gunbattle in a Mexican state near the U.S. border that has seen a surge

in drug gang violence, the military said.

A reconnaissance flight over Ciudad Mier in Tamaulipas state spotted several

gunmen in front of a property, according to a statement from Mexico's Defense

Department.

When troops on the ground moved in, gunmen opened fire, starting a gunbattle

that killed 25 suspected cartel members, according to the military. The

statement said two soldiers were injured but none were killed.

Earlier, a military spokesman had said the shootout happened when troops on

patrol in neighboring Nuevo Leon state came under fire from a ranch allegedly

controlled by the Zetas drug gang.

The spokesman, who was not authorized to be quoted by name, said the troops

returned fire at a ranch, known as " The Stump. " A defense department statement

later said the shootout took place in Tamaulipas.

Authorities rescued three people believed to be kidnap victims in the raid,

according to the statement. The military said troops seized 25 rifles, four

grenades, 4,200 rounds of ammunition and 23 vehicles.

Violence has surged in northeastern Mexico this year since the Zetas broke ranks

with their former employer, the Gulf cartel, making Tamaulipas one of the

country's most dangerous battlegrounds.

In June, gunmen ambushed and killed the leading candidate for state governor a

week before the elections. And in May a mayoral candidate in Tamaulipas was

assassinated.

In August, Mexican marines discovered the bodies of 72 Central and South

American migrants believed to have been gunned down by the Zetas after refusing

to smuggle drugs, in what may be the deadliest cartel massacre to date. The dead

migrants were discovered at a ranch about 100 miles (160 kilometers) from the

U.S. border in Tamaulipas.

The Zetas began as a gang of drug assassins but have since evolved into a

powerful cartel.

Drug violence has claimed more than 28,000 lives since President Felipe Calderon

intensified a crackdown on cartels after taking office in late 2006.