MEXICO CITY (AP) — Federal officials say eight suspected drug gang gunmen died in a battle with Mexican soldiers in the remote mountains of northern Chihuahua state.

Mexico’s federal Public Safety Department said Thursday the clash happened near the rural town of Madera, about 145 miles south of the U.S. border.

The gunmen apparently opened fire on an army patrol, but the Defense Department offered no information on the attack nor the identity of the attackers. The area is frequently used by gangs to produce and traffic drugs.

Also Thursday, the army said soldiers seized two extended pickup trucks painted with Mexican army emblems and colors near the border community of Ciudad Mier in the border state of Tamaulipas. The Eighth Military Region command said drug traffickers had painted the trucks "to disguise themselves as military personnel" and "confuse the public and cover up their illegal acts."

On Wednesday, the border city of Nuevo Laredo was practically paralyzed by late-night gunbattles in which gangs forced citizens from their cars and used the vehicles to block streets. The sound of gunfire alarmed Texans on the U.S. side of the Rio Grande.

8 suspects killed in clash with Mexican soldiers | soldiers, city, suspects – Latest News – Valley Morning Star