18 Mexican gunmen killed

AT least 18 gunmen have been killed in clashes after drug gangs tried to blockade army bases in northern Mexico, military officials said yesterday.

The Mexican army said only one soldier was wounded in the fighting as dozens of attackers targeted garrisons in the border states of Tamaulipas and Nuevo Leon.

Drug cartel gunmen frequently shoot at soldiers on patrol, but they seldom target army bases, and even more rarely attack in the force displayed during confrontations