An explosive attack against security forces in the municipality of Tabasco, Zacatecas, caused the temporary closure of Federal Highway 54, at the height of the community of San Luis de Custique.
The incident occurred on the morning of Thursday, August 27, when elements of the Zacatecas security forces were traveling toward the municipality of Jalpa to carry out searches. During the operation, they were attacked with explosive devices.
The attack resulted in two state police officers suffering minor injuries. Authorities reported that the injuries were not considered serious and that the officers received medical attention.
The Municipal Government of Tabasco and the Municipal Civil Protection Coordination issued an alert to residents following the events on Federal Highway 54, recommending that motorists avoid traveling along the road until further notice and follow instructions from the competent authorities.
Authorities reported that the incident caused material damage, while the presence of additional explosive devices that had not detonated represented an ongoing risk to motorists and residents in the area.
Because of the danger, authorities ordered the preventive and indefinite closure of Federal Highway 54 in the affected section.
The Mexican Army deployed personnel specialized in the detection, handling and deactivation of explosives to secure the area and remove the dangerous material. The highway could only be reopened once the neutralization operations and expert examinations were completed and the area was determined to be safe.
Armed Confrontation in the Region
Following the explosion, a strong armed confrontation occurred between security forces and the attackers.
The Federal Highway 54, which connects Zacatecas with Guadalajara, was closed in the Villanueva–Jalpa section while security forces carried out operations in the area.
Residents of the surrounding rural region recorded videos showing the white cloud of smoke produced by the explosions, as well as the sound of high-caliber firearms during the confrontation.
The confrontation initially occurred near the San Luis community and El Chique Dam, in the municipality of Tabasco. The pursuit and armed confrontation subsequently extended toward the Los Soyates ranch, in the municipality of Villanueva, and later toward the area surrounding Los Serna Dam, in the municipality of Calvillo, Aguascalientes.
State police belonging to the FRIZ received support from members of the National Guard and Mexican Army, as well as a Black Hawk helicopter operated by the Secretariat of Public Security.
At the time of the initial reports, authorities had not provided a definitive figure for possible deaths or additional injuries resulting from the armed confrontations.
The incident occurred amid a series of explosive-related attacks in Zacatecas, with authorities subsequently reporting the discovery and controlled destruction of additional explosive devices in the municipality of Tabasco.
Source: oem
