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The “viable device” looks to have borne all the hallmarks of a tactic deployed by terrorist groups against members of the security forces during the 1970s and 80s.
A spokesman for the Army in Northern Ireland told SecurityOracle.com that security for troops and their families was being kept under constant review, although he was unable to confirm whether an officer had been targeted.
The bulk of 19 Light Brigade – including the 2nd Battalion, The Rifles and the 2nd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment, are currently based in the province.
Police officers believe the device, which was spotted on a driveway yesterday morning, may have fallen off the vehicle before the booby trap could be deployed.
It was detonated in a controlled explosion by Ammunition Technical Officers.
Speaking at a press conference at Bangor Police Station, PSNI C District Commander Ch Supt Nigel Grimshaw condemned those responsible for the attempted attack.
He added: “The investigation is at an early stage – however it seems to bear all the hallmarks of an undercar booby trap device. One of our lines of enquiry is it was attached to the underside of the vehicle and has fallen off.
“A device like this is only designed for one purpose and that is to kill or seriously injure and we are fortunate that we are not looking at a fatality or somebody with serious injuries.
“This was a member of the community who was getting up to do a day’s work. Those behind this attack have callously put families at risk of death or injury.”
Ch Supt Grimshaw stressed: “This investigation will be thorough, it will be robust and we will take every opportunity to ensure those responsible are brought to justice – but we need people to work with us to bring forward information.”
As previously reported on SecurityOracle.com, there are increasing concerns that dissident Republican groups are determined to kill police and Army personnel.
A spate of car bomb attacks have been carried out against police stations this year, the most recent of which targeted an installation in Londonderry earlier in the week.
In April last year, Spr Patrick Azimkar and Spr Mark Quinsey, both serving with 38 Regiment Royal Engineers, were shot dead outside Massereene Barracks in Antrim. |
