Two peacekeepers were wounded by gunfire in the latest incident that erupted between ethnic Serbs and the NATO-led international Kosovo Force (KFOR) in northern Kosovo on Monday, media in Belgrade and Pristina said.
Also, dozens of civilians suffered injures in the incident which occurred when KFOR troops had removed roadblocks in Jagnjenica village on the Kosovska Mitrovica-Zubin Potok road.
KFOR soldiers used tear gas and water cannons against Serb demonstrators, who in turn threw stones and sticks and fired from small-calibre guns.
KFOR spokesman Frank Martin was quoted as saying that two KFOR soldiers had been wounded by gunfire, while Serbs denied having used firearms.
"We have used a small amount of rubber bullets, tear gas and pepper spray," Martin said.
The head of the health centre in Zubin Potok said that between 30 and 50 Serbs had been injured but none were in a critical condition.
Media also quoted another KFOR spokesman Dan Harvey as saying that KFOR soldiers were instructed to use lethal force if attacked.
Serbs in the north of Kosovo have set up roadblocks in an attempt to prevent the deployment of Kosovo customs and police officers at the border crossings between Serbia and Kosovo because they do not recognise Kosovo's independence.
