Bombing in Northern Ireland targeted police

Strabane, Northern Ireland– The Police Service for Northern Ireland (PSNI) stated that a “substantial” bomb detonated on Tuesday evening while three police officers were patrolling in the area.

We are incredibly lucky that the lives of officers and other members of the community were not lost last night,” said Supt Gordon McCalmont.

“We appreciate the understanding and patience of local residents while we carry out our enquiries and would appeal for anyone with information about suspicious activity in the area to contact us.”- BBC

Police stated that no one has claimed responsibility for the bombing and but they believe dissident republicans planted the device. PSNI Chief Inspector Ivor Morton stated that he could not confirm if the incident was due to the death of former Northern Ireland deputy first minister and ex-IRA commander Martin McGuinness. This is reportedly the third attempt to injure or kill police officers by dissident republicans this year.

Last month the New IRA placed a bomb under a car in the Culmore area of Derry. Their intended target was believed to have been a member of the PSNI living in the district.

In January a New IRA sniper wounded a PSNI officer during a gun attack on a police patrol at a garage forecourt in north Belfast. The officer sustained injuries to his arm but survived the shooting. In the same month the PSNI discovered a bomb in west Belfast after searches in the Poleglass area.

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It is likely that the New IRA, which has a small but active base in the Derry-Strabane area, was behind Tuesday night’s explosion.”- The Guardian

Image courtesy of BBC