A spokesman for the European Union's rule of law mission in Kosovo says special police have launched an operation in the Serb-run north linked to the recent outbreak of violence that left one dead. Nicholas Hawton said the operation early Wednesday is "related to a criminal investigation" into the murder of Kosovo policeman Enver Zymberi in July. He said NATO peacekeepers have deployed to support the EU police in the tense area controlled by minority Serbs that refuse to cooperate with international authorities and reject Pristina's authority. Zymberi was killed during clashes that erupted after Kosovo's government tried to set up customs points in July along its border with Serbia, which does not recognise Kosovo's independence.