An offensive against the city of Pec began on 28 March after the completion of what appears to have been a concerted plan known as Operation Horseshoe to empty parts of Kosovo.

Witnesses report that Serb paramilitary police moved down the streets of the province's second city from around 10am, ordering thousands of people onto buses.

Many of the tens of thousands of expelled ethnic Albanians were transported to the southern town of Prizren.

Refugees at the time reported that at least 50 civilians were killed and buried as Serb units set properties alight and looted premises. There were also reports of the rape of some young Albanian women.

Latest reports suggest that there may have been a further massacre of 200 people on April 8.

However, there is one story of hope from the area. Kosovo Albanians in Decani, south of Pec, say that they owe their lives to the courage and humanity of local Serb Orthodox monks who shielded them against paramilitary units.

"We helped them the best way we could," the abbot said. "We gave them food, medicine and moral support."

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