United Nations: In the first ever fatal shooting of a UN officer since Kosovo came under its control four years ago, an Indian police officer was killed in a sniper attack in Stalina village.

Satish Menon, 43, is survived by his wife and two children hails from Kerala .He was travelling in a UN police car towards Mitrovica . A British officer driving the car escaped unhurt.

The UN mission, called UNMIK, was established to provide interim civil administration under which people of the province, ravaged by ethnic war between Serbs and Albanians, could enjoy substantial autonomy.

The UN administration in Kosovo has begun an "intense criminal probe" into the murder.

Reports reaching the United Nations headquarters did not give any motive but also did not rule out the possibility that it was act of a criminal gangs as the world body police supported by local officers has launched a campaign against the underworld.

Menon was on way to Miltrovica, a town with Serb-majority that was scene of violent demonstrations in 2002, UN said.

Noting that the UNMIK police is in Kosovo to assist in establishing law and order, Secretary-General Kofi Annan's acting Special Representative Charles Brayshaw described the murder as "despicable" and "repugnant" act.

PTI