An unexploded device was found under a police officer’s car in East Belfast today.
Local residents in the Upper Newtownards Road area were asked to leave their homes temporarily while army technical officers worked to secure the viable device, which was detected around 2pm.
PSNI assistant chief constable George Hamilton said it was very fortunate the device was detected before it exploded.
“Initial investigations would indicate that this was a viable device placed below an officer’s car sometime in the last 48 hours,” he said.
“It was clearly intended to kill the police officer. His family and neighbours in the vicinity were also put at risk of serious harm.”
He said attacks on police officers “cannot be allowed to continue”, and appealed to anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
“My plea to them is not to allow this small minority to drag us back to the past,” he said.
“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.”
Anyone who was in the area of the Upper Newtownards Road and witnessed any unusual activity in or around this area between the junction of Cabinhill Park and the Knock Road between Friday afternoon and lunchtime today is asked to contact detectives on 0845 600 8000.
Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
