PRISTINA - Four NATO troops from the KFOR peackeeping force in Kosovo were injured after improvised explosive devices were thrown at their positions near a contested border crossing in predominantly-Serb north of the country, a NATO spokesman said on Tuesday.  

"Four solders were injured in explosions of pipe bombs. Three have minor injuries, while the fourth (soldier) who has serious injuries will be evacuated," said Kai Gudenoge, a NATO spokesman in the capital Pristina.

At least six Kosovo Serbs were also seriously injured in a shootout between protesters and NATO peacekeepers at the Jarinje border crossing 100 kilometers (60 miles) north of Pristina, local Serb authorities and health officials said.