11 killed in clash between Venezuelan troops, armed group

CARACAS, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- A clash between Venezuelan army troops and an armed group left 11 people dead in Tumeremo, a town in southern Bolivar state, prosecutors said on Monday.

The clash took place at 11:00 a.m. (1500 GMT) Sunday when the troops "were patrolling the area due to the presence of members of an armed organization," the Public Ministry said in a statement.

The armed men ambushed the patrol, "sparking an exchange of gunfire," injuring one military member, according to the statement.

Authorities and forensics experts are investigating the incident "to identify the bodies and determine who was responsible."