Intense Gunfight Erupts in Kosovo Following Tragic Police Officer's Demise

A gun battle between the police and individuals heavily armed occurred in northern Kosovo on Sunday, shortly after an ambush resulted in the death of one police officer and the injury of another. "We are being fired upon by armed individuals wearing uniforms and carrying powerful weapons, and in response, we are engaging in gunfire," stated Veton Eljsani, the deputy commander of the Kosovo Police for the Northern region, as reported by CNN affiliate N1.

According to N1, Eljsani did not disclose the identities of the armed individuals.

This incident represents a significant intensification of tensions in an already volatile region. While Kosovo has a majority Albanian population, Banjska, like other towns in the northern part, is primarily Serbian.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008; however, Serbia considers Kosovo a secessionist state. The Kosovo Serbs identify themselves as part of Serbia and regard Belgrade, not Pristina, as their capital.

According to N1, on Saturday night, a border police unit discovered two unregistered heavy trucks obstructing the entrance to a bridge in Banjska. Subsequently, police forces were dispatched to the location.

Upon police officers' arrival at the scene, they confronted resistance, leading to gunshots being fired. Regrettably, one police officer lost their life and another sustained injuries during the ensuing exchange of fire, as reported by N1. Kosovo police detailed being targeted with an array of firearms, including hand grenades and stun guns.

In a Facebook post on Sunday morning, Prime Minister Albin Kurti referred to the incident in the village of Banjska as a "terror attack" orchestrated by alleged "Serbian criminal gangs."

Kosovo Police and a group of armed, masked men stand in front of the Banjska Monastery in North Kosovo.

Kosovo Police/AP

CNN has reached out to Serbias Foreign Ministry for comment about the incident.

In a statement released on Sunday, EU's foreign policy chief, Joseph Borrell, expressed his condemnation towards the attack and urged for a de-escalation of the situation. "I strongly condemn the appalling attack on Kosovo Police officers in Banjska/Banjskë in northern Kosovo, perpetrated by an armed gang, resulting in the unfortunate death of one officer. Those responsible for this crime must be brought to justice," he emphasized.

He emphasized that the ongoing hostilities around Banjska Monastery put more innocent lives in danger and called for an immediate halt to these attacks. The European Union mission in Kosovo, known as EULEX, is actively engaged on the ground and maintaining close communication with the authorities and KFOR, the NATO-led international peacekeeping force in the region, according to Borrell.

"The EU and its Member States continuously emphasize the importance of efforts from all parties to de-escalate the situation in northern Kosovo," he stated.

Tensions between Kosovo and Serbia have been on the rise in the past few months, leading to violent protests in May regarding the disputed local elections. During the clashes, numerous NATO peacekeepers sustained injuries.

Kosovos Serbs have increasingly demanded greater autonomy from the ethnic Albanian majority.