Strabane: PSNI probing possible New IRA link to bomb attack
PSNI assistant chief constable Bobby Singleton said a strong line of inquiry was that the dissident republican group the New IRA was behind the attack on two police officers in Strabane today (Friday).
He said: "We have seen evidence of what we believe is a viable explosive device.
"Fortunately the officers have not been injured in this attack but this attack took place in a busy residential area, it was absolutely reckless and any member of the public, never mind our police officers, could have been seriously injured."
Asked who could be responsible, the officer said: "Given the location of the attack and previous incidents, a strong line of inquiry would be the New IRA."
He said they had now begun an attempted murder investigation.
"I would say to the public we do have a security operation in place, there will be a heightened police presence for some time," he said.
"I would take this opportunity to appeal to anybody in the Mount Carmel Heights area who may have seen anything suspicious either last night or in the days leading up to this to come forward and provide that information to the police.
"This was a senseless attack on our officers.
"It won't deter us from what we need to do in the local community, which is to work together with residents to provide a service that everybody can be proud of."