By IANS,
Mexico City : Seven policemen have been shot dead by gunmen in Mexico’s western state of Michoacan, EFE news agency reported Sunday.
Gunmen shot dead seven policemen Saturday in an ambush near the town of Pareo, an official said, requesting anonymity. The bodies were found same day.
Meanwhile, Michoacan Attorney General’s Office has sent a special team to the area to investigate the case. A bullet riddled SUV was found abandoned near the site.
A fortnight ago, two policemen were killed and another wounded when gunmen attacked a police station in the town of Riva Palacio in Michoacan.
Of late, Mexico has been plagued by drug-related violence, with powerful cartels battling each other and security forces for control of the lucrative drug trade as well as its distribution routes.
At least 2,700 people have been killed in various clashes since 2007 in the country, according to an estimate published by daily El Universal newspaper.
President Felipe Calderon has deployed more than 30,000 soldiers and federal police officials in dozens of Mexican states since assuming office 2006 to stop the killing, but violence continued unabated.