Gunfire and firefights erupted in western Mexico on Sunday as hundreds of vigilantes pressed forward in their fight over territory with a drug cartel, as Mexico's top security officials prepared to make yet another effort to try to stop the violence. Members of so-called 'self-defense groups' entered the town of Nueva Italia on a campaign they say is designed to liberate towns from the control of the Knights Templar cartel. Opponents and critics say the vigilantes are backed by a rival cartel, however the groups vehemently deny any connection. Scroll down for video Violence: Men belonging to the Self-Defense Council of Michoacan engage in a firefight while trying to flush out alleged members of the Knights Templar drug cartel from Nueva Italia on Sunday January 12, 2014
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Vigilante groups in the western Mexican state of Michoacan have joined forces to confront drug cartels
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The groups have sprung up all over Mexico over the past year, especially in Michoacan, which is plagued by the Knights Templar Cartel
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More than 100 vigilantes stormed the town of Paracuaro at the weekend in an attempt to reclaim the city
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Trucks, cars and shops were set on fire in the fight, as gun battles continued on Sunday
Mexico
Mexico
Mexican
Mexico
The federal government has said the civilian groups are operating on the margins of the law, and they carry high-caliber weapons that @placeholder only allows for military use.
Michoacan
Michoacan
Michoacan
The Mexican government deployed hundreds of forces after several attacks to the federal policemen occurred in villages of western @placeholder state