A patrol of Kosovo police officers has come under attack in the northern part of the breakaway region, according to Prime Minister Albin Kurti. He has accused Serbia of being behind the attack, but Belgrade has denied the allegations and suggested that Pristina is seeking to escalate tensions.
The incident occurred on Sunday night, as reported on the Kosovo police’s Facebook page. Unidentified individuals blocked a bridge leading to the village of Banjska with two trucks that had no license plates. The police intervened, but the officers who arrived at the scene were met with heavy gunfire. Two police officers were injured in the shootout, and sadly, one of them later died from their injuries in the hospital.
Throughout Sunday, the Kosovo law enforcement forces provided updates on the situation, describing it as “tense.” They reported that some criminal groups were continuing to attack police units sporadically. The police stated that they faced “professional attackers” who were armed with heavy weapons, grenades, and even some armored vehicles. In clashes that followed, at least three assailants were killed, and one more was arrested. Another police officer was injured. In addition, four suspects were apprehended for the illegal possession of radio devices, and the police believe they may have links to the attackers.
Prime Minister Kurti took to Facebook to claim that the assailants had received political, financial, and logistical support from official Belgrade. He referred to them as professionals and organized crime members. However, Belgrade promptly rejected these accusations, asserting that Pristina would benefit from an escalation of tensions. Serbia’s parliament speaker, Vladimir Orlic, criticized Prime Minister Kurti for blaming the Serbs and claimed that the prime minister already knows the identity and nature of the attackers.
Tensions between Serbia and its breakaway province have been on the rise in recent weeks. Talks between Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic ended unsuccessfully last week. Following the meeting, Kurti accused Belgrade of attempting to undermine the sovereignty of Kosovo, declaring that the Serbs must “suffer and pay” for it. President Vucic responded by criticizing the West for employing double standards in their support for Pristina.
The Serbian president is expected to make a statement regarding the situation before the end of Sunday as developments unfold in Kosovo.
In conclusion, a police patrol in Kosovo has been attacked, leading to the injury and death of officers. Prime Minister Kurti has accused Serbia of being behind the attack, but Belgrade denies the allegations and suggests that Pristina is seeking to escalate tensions. The situation remains tense, and tensions between Serbia and its breakaway province have been increasing in recent weeks.
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