(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-03-17 23:01

PRISTINA  -- The UN mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) withdrew its police forces on Monday from the northern town of Mitrovica, after 25 UN policemen were injured in clashes with local Serbs, said local police.

"Following the fire attacks and explosions, suspected to be hand grenades, the UNMIK police was ordered to withdraw from northern Mitrovica," said Veton Elshani, spokesman for the Kosovo Police Service.

"NATO-led peacekeeping forces (KFOR) will take on the control in the area," said Elshani.

Earlier, eight KFOR troops were wounded, said KFOR authorities. French contingent spokesman Etienne du Fayet confirmed the information but he didn't unveil the nationality of the injured soldiers.

The injured NATO soldiers were assisting UNMIK police operation to retake control of the UNMIK courthouse in northern Mitrovica.