MURDER BID ON POLICE ‘CALLOUS AND COLD BLOODED’, SAYS POLICE CHIEF

Police scene armed copPOLICE are hunting a dissident republican terrorist for attempted murder after he fired a “hand held” device at police last night in north Belfast.

Local commander Supt Muir Clarke described the attack on the armoured landrover parked at Twaddell Avenue as “callous and cold blooded”.

He said a male dressed in grey tracksuit bottoms appeared out of Brompton Park around 11.30 pm and then moved towards the nearby Sportsman Bar.

It was at this point, said Supt Clarke, the terrorist fired the suspect improvised mortar device at the police vehicle.

However, fortunately for the officers inside, the device failed to fully explode and they cheated injury.

“This was a callous and cold-blooded attempt to murder police officers,” added Supt Clarke.

The attack has also been condemned by north Belfast DUP MP Nigel Dodds as a “deplorable attempt to murder police officers serving in the line of duty.”

He added: “Thankfully none of the officers was seriously injured though this will have been a horrific experience.

“To fire an explosive device in a built-up area is entirely reckless and callous. Those responsible put members of the public and local residents at risk of serious injury or death along with these police officers.

“This attack was undoubtedly carried out by dissident republicans who have been responsible for previous gun and bomb attacks against the police in the vicinity of this interface.

“Those responsible seek to drag our society backwards into mayhem and bloodshed. They are the enemies of progress and stability. They have nothing positive to offer and their terrorism is rejected by the vast majority of all communities.

“The resultant security alert has caused massive disruption to people and businesses in the area throughout today.

“The attack occurred on the same day that graffiti appeared at the top of Brompton Park with the initials RNU threatening people at Twaddell Avenue and beside poppy wreaths which were stolen from the memorial for the three Scottish soldiers at White Brae, Ligoniel.

“The entire community must unite in opposition to these perpetrators of death and destruction.

“They must be given no hiding place and I urge anyone having information which would assist the police to disrupt their terrorism and to bring them to justice to pass that information on without delay.”

Share |


Comments are closed.

BD Top 5
FacebookTwitter
BD TV
Email Us