The Mexican military has established checkpoints in downtown Monterrey, capital of the northern Mexican state of Nuevo Leon, where four policemen have been killed so far this year, local media reported on Friday.

It was part of an operation which would be extended to nearby cities, including Linares, and would continue for the next few days, reports said.

The military presence in at least 10 streets leading to the Macro Plaza, the main city mall, began at 01:00 a.m. local time (0700 GMT) Thursday and ended four hours later without any arrests.

To the surprise of citizens, Mexican army soldiers were deployed in downtown avenues with the backing of armored vehicles and tanks. Businesses and homes were also reportedly inspected.

The military operation was carried out after four policemen were killed in Monterrey in the first month of the year.

Last week, Dionisio Herrera, head of the Santa Catarina municipalty, said the Nuevo Leon state public security secretariat had offered him support to increase the police presence in this area.

Source: Xinhua