Violence flares in Kosovo after police officer killing

Skirmishes between gunmen and authorities in northern Kosovo are ongoing, according to Prime Minister Albin Kurti.

His comments came hours after a police officer had been killed when a patrol was hit by an ambush involving firearms and explosives.

Mr Kurti said at least 30 heavily armed gunmen were now surrounded by authorities near Banjska in north Kosovo and called for their surrender.

"There are at least 30 professional, military or police armed people who are surrounded by our police forces and whom I invite to surrender to our security agencies," Mr Kurti said during a press conference.

Mr Kurti added that the group was located in and around a monastery near the village of Banjska, where the patrol had been ambushed early this morning.

The Serbia Orthodox Church confirmed that gunmen had stormed a monastery in Banjska, where pilgrims from the northern Serbian city of Novi Sad were staying.

"We can see armed people in uniforms ... they are firing on us and we are firing back," Kosovo police official Veton Elshan said.