ATO and robot at the scene of murder bid bomb attack on police in Strabane last week. Pic by NorthWest Newspix.
The investigation into the attempted murder of two police officers on Thursday, November 17, continues and police are appealing to anyone with information to contact them on 101.
Additionally, information and media can be provided to police through the Major Incident Public Portal link: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/PSNI22A02-PO1
Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at: www.crimestoppers-uk.org
On Friday, The Irish News reported that the New IRA had issued a statement saying it had carried out the attack using a recognised codeword.
The statement gave further details of the Republican operation.
It says two members on the scene were armed with AK-47s and that the type of Mortor used against the PSNI was an ‘Explosively Formed Projectile’ (EFP) fired using a command wire and believed to contain a quantity of Semtex.
In the statement, signed T O’Neill, the terror group said “an armed unit of the IRA moved into the area”.
“Two armed volunteers with AK 47s gave cover while the rest of the unit deployed the IED,” the statement said.
“We believe significant damage was done to the car.”
Two officers had been on patrol on Thursday, November 17, in Mount Carmel Heights when a bomb was detonated at the side of their vehicle.
Neither officer was injured in the attack, which caused a major security alert in the area, affecting more than 1,000 residents and leaving some children unable to get to school on Friday.
Police had previously said the involvement of the New IRA was a “strong line of inquiry”.
PSNI assistant chief constable Bobby Singleton said the location of the incident in Strabane and previous attacks made the involvement of the dissident republican splinter group a possibility.
Political leaders across the North and in the Republic condemned the attack.
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