Mexico Explosion Leaves 6 Police Dead; Governor Slams 'Cowardly Attack'
A series of roadside bomb attacks in Jalisco, Mexico has rocked the country, with the explosion killing six people and injuring 12 others. The Tuesday attack was "unprecedented," and it being blamed on the drug cartels plaguing Mexico.
Some of those killed were all security personnel consisting of police and agents of the state prosecutor's office, while two were civilians, with Jalisco Governor Enrique Alfaro calling the attack a "Brutal act of terror." He did not name any group behind the attack, however, though Jalisco state is known to be the stronghold of one of the most brutal cartels in Mexico, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
"This is an unprecedented act that shows what these drug cartels are capable of," the governor wrote on social media. "This attack also represents an open challenge to the Mexican government on all levels."
In a press conference, the governor also revealed that the attack took place after a civilian volunteer search group received a tip that there was a clandestine burial site near a road in Tlajomulco, which is near Guadalajara, the state capital.
However, this was a trap. The police sent to escort the volunteer search group stumbled into eight improvised explosive devices, seven of which were detonated as the police convoy passed by. The eighth bomb failed to explode.
Mexico Police Investigating Attack That Killed Six People
During his press conference, Governor Alfaro stated that the state's security cabinet was "in permanent session" as they investigate the attack. It has been attributed to a "specific" criminal organization, though that organization was not publicly named.
Forensic investigators were sent to the scene, along with several ambulances to transport those who were injured, according to CBS News.
READ MORE: Mexico War on Drugs: Authorities Destroy Homemade Armored Cars Used by Cartels
Local media reported that the explosion occurred near a vehicle that was transporting the security officials. However, investigators are still looking into whether a grenade or homemade mine was used in the deadly attack that killed six people.
While there is no confirmation that the CJNG was indeed the group behind the attack, explosives are part of their modus operandi as it has been blamed for previous IED attacks. The cartel is also known for using drones to drop bombs and grenades at targets.
Mexico Explosion Also Injured 3 Minors
According to The Guardian, Mexico police stated that the two dead civilians were simply at the wrong place at the wrong time, as they were inside the vehicle that was passing by as the IEDs exploded. This suggested that the bombs may have been detonated remotely.
Jalisco Chief Prosecutor Luis Mendez confirmed that those injured were all civilians; some of them were critically wounded by the explosion. It is unclear if the search volunteers, who usually make up of mothers who are just looking for their missing children who were possibly abducted and killed by the cartels, were among those injured.
Three of the victims were minors. Mendez confirmed that their ages are 9, 13, and 14.
READ NEXT: Mexico: Warring Cartels Block Roads Near U.S. Border
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Rick Martin
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