Four NATO peacekeepers and six Serbian protesters were injured Tuesday as violence broke out at a disputed border crossing between Serbia and Kosovo.

The soldiers were apparently wounded in a pipe bomb explosion, according to Kai Gudenoge, a spokesman for the NATO-led Kosovo peacekeeping force (KFOR).

"Three have minor injuries while the fourth, who has serious injuries, will be evacuated," said Gudenoge.

Improvised explosive devices had been thrown at the positions being occupied by the troops, near a contested border post.

At least six Kosovo Serbs were also badly wounded in a confrontation between demonstrators and NATO peacekeepers at the Jarinje border crossing.

The incident happened at about 1 p.m. local time, when KFOR tried to disperse some 1,500 Serb demonstrators who were protesting against the dismantling of their roadblock.

Rubber bullets fired

Kosovo took partial control of border crossings earlier this month

NATO said its forces had responded with rubber bullets and tear gas after stones were thrown at a truck carrying German soldiers. "One soldier was hit and the troops were forced to fire non lethal rounds in self-defense," said Gudenoge.

The wounded Serbians were taken to a hospital, according to Branko Ninic, mayor of the nearby town of Leposavic.

"Right now we are urging people to remain calm," said Ninic. "This situation is very dangerous."

The incidents come as talks between Belgrade and Pristina, mediated by the European Union, were due to resume in Brussels later Tuesday.

Last Friday, Kosovo police and EU officials took control of the two main crossing points between northern Kosovo and Serbia. In response, Serbs in northern Kosovo erected barricades to block traffic to and from the crossings.

Serbia, and Serbians living in the north of Kosovo, reject Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence and refuse to recognize its ethnic Albanian government.

Author: Richard Connor (AFP, AP, Reuters)

Editor: Martin Kuebler