A state governor in eastern Mexico is confirming the deaths of 10 people in apparent clashes between criminal gangs, saying nine of the dead were dismembered.

Veracruz Gov. Miguel Angel Yunes also announced Sunday that a new federal effort would be launched to reinforce security in the state capital, Xalapa.

The dismembered bodies were found Saturday in a residential neighborhood about 500 yards (meters) from the city's main bus terminal. Yunes said most have been identified.

The picturesque, oil-rich state has long been plagued by drug gang violence and the new year had already gotten off to a gory start, with the discovery of five heads atop a taxi in a tourist town and four others found in another city.