Gunmen fire at Mexico army helicopter, 3 soldiers killed

Gunmen fired at a Mexican military helicopter in western Jalisco state on Friday, killing three soldiers and wounding 12 troops and police as the aircraft made an emergency landing, the defense ministry said.

The Cougar transport helicopter was carrying 18 soldiers, federal police officers and crew taking part in an anti-drug cartel operation when it came under fire from carloads of gunmen, the ministry said in a statement.

The attack came amid a day of violence across Jalisco, with buses and trucks set on fire in Guadalajara, Mexico's second biggest city, and a gang clashing with officers in the town of Autlan.

The helicopter was taking part in Operation Jalisco, which was launched on Friday to combat crime in the state, known as a bastion of the Jalisco New Generation Drug Cartel.

The gunmen were spotted on a road between the towns of Casimiro Castillo and Villa Purificacion when it was hit.

The chopper was carrying 11 troops, five crew members and two federal police officers.

The two officers and 10 soldiers were injured. They were taken to the military hospital of Guadalajara.

The assailants left behind four vehicles.