Bomb squad officers at scene of attack on police officers in Strabane. Pix by NorthWest Newspix
Police have confirm that the ongoing security alert in the Mount Carmel Heights area of Strabane this morning, Friday, November 18, follows what appears to have been a targeted attack on police shortly before 11pm last night.
The explosion took place close to the site of the old Strabane convent grammar school.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “Investigations are at an early stage.
“However, the attack, which is believed to have been caused by an improvised explosive device, caused damage to a police vehicle and is being treated as the attempted murder of two officers.
“The road remains closed and motorists are advised to avoid the area.
“No homes have been evacuated at this time.”
Army Technical Officers are currently at the scene of the attack.
Crime Scene Investigators arrive in Strabane after bomb attack on police officers
Children have been unable to go to school amid the ongoing security alert and more than 1,000 residents are affected.
Motorists have been advised to avoid the area.
There has been no evacuation from homes, police said, but major disruption has been caused, local SDLP Assembly member Daniel McCrossan said.
“People this morning who will be attempting to go to work, to take their children to school, will not be able to leave this area,” he told BBC Radio Foyle.
Mr McCrossan said he had heard the bang overnight and was also contacted by a number of constituents.
“It was very clear something wasn’t right,” he said.
He added that Mount Carmel Heights is one of Strabane’s largest residential areas.
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