Security alert in south Belfast ends after ATO defuse a bomb

AN area of south Belfast has now been declared safe after Army technical officers defused a bomb.

The security forces were called to the Village area of south Belfast on Tuesday evening following the discovery of a suspicious object.

A number of homes were evacuated in Kilburn Street while the ATO carried out a controlled explosion.

Police later described it as a “viable explosive device”.

Residents were allowed to return to their homes shortly after midnight on Wednesday.

Detectives from the PSNI’s Terrorist Investigation Unit (TIU) have appealed for anyone with information about the bomb to contact them on 0845 600 8000.

The south Belfast bomb came hours after dissident republicans sent a letter bomb to Secretary of State Theresa Villiers.

It was intercept in the postal system at Stormont Castle which also doubles up as offices for the First and deputy first minster.

The bomb was four such device sent by dissidents since last Friday.

Two were posted to two senior PSNI officers – Chief Constable Matt Baggott and Derry police commander Chief Inspector Jon Burrows.

On Monday, a third such device was found at the newly-owned Public Prosecution Service’s office on Derry’s Limavady Road.

All three were made safe by the ATO.

The Chief Constable told MPs at Westminster on Tuesday that all “investigative resources” were being used to catch the letter bomber.