NEW DELHI: The Indian embassy issued a warning on Monday asking Indian nationals in several parts of Mexico to stay indoors after a major security operation killed a senior cartel leader and triggered widespread violence.Mexican authorities said Nemesio Ruben Oceguera Cervantes, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation cartel, was injured in a clash with soldiers in Tapalpa and died on the way to Mexico City.“Dear all Indian nationals in Mexico: Currently security operations and associated road blockades and criminal activity are continuing and Indian nationals in the regions of Jalisco (Puerto Vallarta, Chapala and Guadalajara regions), Tamaulipas (Reynosa region and other cities), Michoacán, Guerrero and Nuevo Leon should shelter in place until further notice,” the Indian Embassy said.“For assistance, please contact the Embassy of India at +52 55 4847 7539,” it added.Officials said six suspected cartel gunmen were killed in the operation, three soldiers were injured and taken to hospitals in the capital, and two suspects were arrested. Authorities also seized a cache of weapons, including rocket launchers capable of shooting down aircraft and destroying armored vehicles.Officials called the strike in western Jalisco state one of the most significant blows to organized crime since the arrests of Sinaloa cartel co-founders JoaquÃn Guzman and Ismael Zambada Garcia. Within hours of the announcement, cartel gunmen set fire to vehicles, blocked highways and clashed with security forces, spreading retaliatory violence in at least five states and paralyzing transport networks.Amid the unrest, the U.S. State Department and Canadian authorities also urged citizens in parts of Mexico to shelter in place amid violence, blocked roads and canceled flights.
