An Albanian, two Serbs and a United Nations police officer were injured in clashes in Kosovo's northern town of Mitrovica in the early hours of August 5 2008, Kosovo police said, as reported by website Balkan Insight.

The incident occurred after several Serbs attacked and beat an Albanian. The Albanians responded by smashing some cars. According to Kosovo police, six cars and three shops suffered damages before peace was restored. A UN police officer got his nose broken in the fight.

“Interethnic tensions between young people occurred after several dozen members of the ethnic groups pelted each other with stones in the town of Mitrovica,” Balkan Insight quoted a media statement by Kosovo's police as saying, and reported that three Serbs aged 16-17 had been arrested.

Mitrovica is home to a Serb majority living in its northern part and an Albanian one living in its southern part. Clashes between the two ethnic groups have been a common occurrence.

Kosovo declared independence on February 17 in a move that substantially raised tensions between Serbs and Albanians.