Eleven people were killed in northern Mexico in a shootout between soldiers and alleged drug criminals late Thursday, the country's army said.
Gunmen had opened fire on an army convoy in the town of Santiago Papasquiaro in the state of Durango, the army said. Some of the attackers, who are believed to be part of a drugs cartel, escaped, dpa reported.
More than 28,000 people have been killed in Mexico's drugs war since President Felipe Calderon took office in December 2006.
On Thursday, Calderon pleaded with state governors for more support in the fight against organized crime and the drug trade.
Speaking to the 31 regional leaders, Calderon emphasized how vital it was for all state governments to participate in the national fight against the drug cartels.
Federal-state cooperation in Calderon's drug war is often lacking, since the majority of states are led by governors who do not belong to Calderon's ruling PAN party.
During recent weeks, politicians and former president Vicente Fox suggested that the drug trade should be legalized to drive down prices and make the illegal trade less lucrative.