Two police officers escaped unharmed after a bomb attack in County Tyrone damaged their patrol vehicle.
Thursday, just before 23:00 GMT, in the Mount Carmel Heights neighborhood of Strabane, residents reported hearing a loud explosion.
Due to road closures, more than a thousand residents have been impacted and children have been prevented from attending school, according to local politicians.
The police are investigating the incident as attempted murder.
It is believed that an improvised explosive device was used, according to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).
The attack, which caused damage to the vehicle, is being treated as an attempt to murder two officers, according to a PSNI spokesperson.
The entrance road to the neighborhood remains closed. It has been advised that motorists avoid the area.
Daniel McCrossan, a member of the local assembly, stated that while there has been no evacuation of residences, a significant amount of disruption has occurred.
According to Mr. McCrossan, who represents the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), the situation was “extremely grave.”
He stated that he heard the explosion overnight and was also contacted by constituents.
“It was abundantly clear that something was amiss,” he said.
He added that Mount Carmel Heights is one of the largest residential neighborhoods in Strabane.
The Police Federation for Northern Ireland (PFNI) condemned the attack as a “desperate and reckless attempt to murder community-serving officers.”
PFNI chair Liam Kelly said: “The attackers intended for their roadside bomb to cause the most damage possible, and we are grateful that they were unable to achieve their goal.
“The threat from terrorism is categorized as substantial,’ and I urge all officers to increase their alertness.”
The police will almost certainly operate on the assumption that this attack was carried out by the New IRA.
After an MI5 bugging operation resulted in the arrest and indictment of its putative leadership in 2020, the organization has been on the back foot in recent years.
MI5 reduced the danger level in Northern Ireland in March for the first time in twelve years.
Although the New IRA was not regarded as having the same capabilities as it did a few years ago, the police have always maintained that it remained a threat.
In August, the group claimed to have opened fire on police officers in Londonderry.
In recent years, however, almost all attempted attacks have been repelled, with the latest period of increased activity occurring around 2019.
Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheal Martin stated, “Any effort to injure members of the security forces or the PSNI would be appalling and must be condemned.”
Maolosa McHugh, a Sinn Féin assembly member, stated that the attack was “not only on the PSNI but on the entire community.”
“This type of behavior has no place in our culture, and those responsible must get off the backs of the community.
This morning, many residents were unable to leave their homes to go to work or school due to the massive disruption caused by the incident.
Tom Buchanan, a Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) assembly member, stated that police officers are at the forefront of protecting and serving the community.
“I am relieved that the police officers have survived this attempted murder. My prayers go out to them and their families “he said.
“Shocked and repulsed”
Darren Guy, chair of the Derry and Strabane Policing and Community Safety Partnership stated that those responsible “have absolutely no regard for the residents.”
He added that the residents of Strabane are “shocked and disgusted.”
Northern Ireland’s dissident republican terrorist danger level was reduced for the first time in twelve years earlier this year.
Since 2010, it has been severe, which increased the likelihood of an attack or attacks.
In March, the level was reduced to significant, indicating that attacks are likely.
The level of terror alert is determined by MI5’s analysis of intelligence.
