SDLP West Tyrone MLA Daniel McCrossan has condemned an attempt on the lives of two police officers in Strabane last night.
A device exploded while officers were on patrol on Tuesday night.
Violent dissident republicans are being blamed for the attack.
Mr McCrossan said: “I have spoken with the PSNI and they were quite clear that the security alert which began last night was a deliberate attempt to kill two local police officers with an explosive device.
“This device has been described as substantial and went off around 8:30 PM last night. It is extremely fortunate that those responsible missed their intended target and that no one else was harmed.
“It’s my understanding that many families and individuals in the vicinity of the area have had to be moved out as a precaution and that roads into and out of the area are currently closed as forensic evidence gathering continues.
“Such attacks are deeply troubling have no place in a modern progressive society.
“Strabane has come a long way over recent years and no one wants that hard won progress destroyed by these reckless criminals who have set themselves against the will of the Irish people.”