Mexico: At least 12 suspected criminals killed in shootout with police officers

The local Mexican Security Secretariat reported that at least 12 suspected criminals were killed after a shootout with police officers on Friday in the northern Mexican state of Nuevo Leon.

The clash with authorities took place in the municipality of Doctor Coss after armed civilians initially opened fire on the uniformed men.

"In the place 12 [men] were shot down," said the statement from the institution, which was obtained by AFP, detailing that the uniformed officers were unharmed in the shooting.

The armed clash occurred around 2 p.m. local time when the elements of the Task Force, made up of state police, military and the National Guard, were conducting patrols in the area as part of a security operation.

"The personnel repelled the aggression until the situation was brought under control," added the brief statement without detailing which criminal cell the armed civilians might belong to.

After the confrontation, the uniformed officers located "at least eight long weapons, tactical equipment and various magazines and cartridges," it added.

Doctor Coss is a rural municipality in Nuevo Leon, one of Mexico's most prosperous states, and is located about 80 miles from Monterrey, the district's capital.