For a map, click here For a map of Tamaulipas, click here. To see the original Rantburg report on the Miguel Aleman, Tamaulipas firefight, click here
By Chris Covert
A total of eight armed suspects were killed by Mexican Army riflemen in a pursuit and firefight in Miguel Aleman, Tamaulipas Wednesday, while another four armed suspects were killed in a town near Matamoros, according to news posted at the website of the Mexican Secretaria de Defensa Nacional (SEDENA), the controlling agency for the Mexican Army.
Earlier Twitter accounts Wednesday put the death toll in the Miguel Aleman pursuit and gunfight at between 10 and 12 armed suspects, if SEDENA is reporting about the same firefight.
Two unidentified armed suspects were also detained following the gunfight.
Earlier reports also said the exchange of gunfire took place at a residence in Gomez colony, but SEDENA reports the firefight took place in San Pedro colony. Twitter reports say the gunfire and pursuit began at about 1400 from an attempted traffic stop near the intersection of calles Insurgentes and 10th, while SEDENA reports nothing about a pursuit.
Following the gunfight, soldiers seized 13 rifles, one handgun, 16 grenades, 36 weapons magazines, 7,692 rounds of ammunition, USD $6,240 (MP $78,989.04) and MP $163,200.00 (USD $12892.52) in cash, and three vehicles.
Meanwhile, at the rural village of Sabinito near Matamoros, a Mexican Army patrol came under small arms fire by an unknown number of armed suspects. Army return fire killed four.
Apparently the armed group had been holding five unidentified hostages, who were released following the gunfight.
In the aftermath, soldiers seized four rifles, one hand grenade, 61 weapons magazines, 1,335 rounds of ammunition, containers with armor plating, weapons accessories and three vehicles.