Gunmen open fire on Mexican Army helicopter, three killed: Ministry

Mexico City: Armed men shot at a Mexican army helicopter in the western state of Jalisco on Friday, killing three military personnel and injuring 12 others as the aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing, the Defence Ministry said.

The Jalisco New Generation cartel, which is based in the economically important state, was believed to be behind the attack, according to a government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Three other security personnel are still missing after the incident, the ministry said.

Violence flared up on Friday in Jalisco`s capital Guadalajara, with vehicles set ablaze in and around the city.

Over the past two months, security forces have come under attack in Jalisco from organised crime, with at least 20 federal and state police killed in separate incidents.