POLICE IN NORTHERN Ireland have said a viable explosive device was found under a serving police officer’s car in east Belfast today.
At about 2pm, the unexploded device was detected on the Upper Newtownards Road.
An army disposal team was deployed to the scene and nearby residents were evacuated.
“It is very fortunate that this device was detected before it exploded and that no one was killed or seriously injured,” said ACC George Hamilton. “Initial investigations would indicate that this was a viable device placed below an officer’s car sometime in the last 48 hours. It was clearly intended to kill the police officer. His family and neighbours in the vicinity were also put at risk of serious harm.
“Obviously there are people out there who are still intent on causing murder and mayhem,” he continued. “Attacks on police officers are attacks on the entire community and cannot be allowed to continue.”
We know there are people within our communities who know who did this, we know there are people out there who know exactly what is being planned. My plea to them is not to allow this small minority to drag us back to the past.
“Our belief is that this attempted murder was carried by those opposed to peace from within Dissident Republicanism. They don’t care who they attack, they don’t care who they kill. They are simply anti-peace and determined to carry on bringing pain and devastation to families and communities by maiming and killing.”
Stormont Presbyterian Church was made available for those affected in the area. The Upper Newtownards Road remains closed to traffic between the Knock Road junction and Cabin Hill Park.
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