MEXICO CITY - Ten suspected drug traffickers were killed in a shootout with Mexican soldiers in a northeastern border state, Mexican authorities said Saturday.

Soldiers on patrol Friday found a camp of armed men, who opened fire on them in the state of Tamaulipas, which borders the United States, according to a statement of Mexico's Defense Department.

In the clash, the soldiers killed 10 suspects and seized a rocket launcher, some 20 grenades, two grenade launchers and 24 rifles, the statement said.

Drug trafficking violence is constant in Tamaulipas as the region's two competing drug groups, the Zetas and the Gulf cartel, have been battling for control of smuggling routes into the US market and local markets.

In November, the Mexican government sent thousands of soldiers to the state to strengthen security.

In the past months there have been several gun battles in Tamaulipas between armed criminals and the military.