The international peacekeeping force in Kosovo, K-For, said Mr Trajkovic had been shot in the leg and been transferred to the Russian K-For hospital just outside the capital, Pristina.

Mr Trajkovic leads the Serbian Resistance Movement - an organisation which lobbies for the rights of Kosovar Serbs.

He is a strong opponent of President Slobodan Milosevic and his policies on Kosovo.

A K-For spokesman said Mr Trajkovic had been shot through the door of his apartment on Sunday night.

At least 18 Serbs were injured on Wednesday

The wounds were not considered life-threatening, and Mr Trajkovic was released after treatment.

The shooting came four days after an attack by Kosovo Albanians on a convoy of Serbs trying to leave the province.

The attack happened in the western town of Pec on Wednesday when about 150 Serbs were trying to leave the south-western city of Orahovac for Montenegro.

K-For officials said part of the convoy became detached after a Serb civilian vehicle broke down, and then the lagging vehicles stopped to ask directions.

The convoy was blocked by an angry crowd of about 1,500 Albanians, and some of the refugees were dragged from their cars, which were then set on fire.

At least 18 people were injured in the attack and 19 vehicles were destroyed.

The K-For commander, General Klaus Reinhardt, promised subsequently that security for Serbs in Kosovo would be improved.