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Officer hurt in booby-trap bomb Officer hurt in booby-trap bomb
(about 5 hours later)
An off-duty police officer has been injured in what is understood to have been an under-car booby-trap explosion in County Tyrone. An off-duty police officer has been injured in a booby-trap car bomb in County Tyrone.
The explosion happened at Drumnabey Road in Spamount village outside Castlederg at about 2130 BST on Monday. The explosion happened at Drumnabey Road in Spamount village, outside Castlederg at about 2130 BST on Monday.
It is believed the officer suffered serious leg injuries, but was able to speak to doctors and his injuries are not considered life-threatening. The officer, a Catholic, suffered serious leg injuries, however, they are not thought to be life-threatening.
Dissident republicans are being blamed for the attack. He was rescued by a member of the public who dragged him from the car wreckage. Dissident republicans are being blamed for the attack.
Army bomb experts and other emergency services attending the scene found a car ablaze. The policeman, who is not stationed in the area, is understood to have been visiting someone.
However, the officer is understood to have been rescued from the wreckage of the explosion by a member of the public. Councillor Derek Hussey, who went to the scene, said the quick thinking of the member of the public saved the man's life.
Secretary of State Shaun Woodward, condemning the attack, said: "The contrast between the PSNI officer, dedicated to serving the community, and those with no politics, no support and no principles, who carried this cowardly attack could not be clearer. "One of the first on the scene, a civilian, is understood to have opened the car door and taken the occupant out of the car," the UUP representative said.
"As Northern Ireland moves towards a new and better future, there remains a tiny minority of contemptible, criminal elements who have been rejected by the people, north and south. They will not be allowed to stand in the way of progress.
One of the first on the scene, a civilian, is understood to have opened the car door and taken the occupant out of the car Councillor Derek Hussey
"Anyone with any information about this incident should take it to the police."
Councillor Derek Hussey, who went to the scene, said he understood that the officer was "not a resident from the area, but may have been visiting".
"One of the first on the scene, a civilian, is understood to have opened the car door and taken the occupant out of the car," continued the UUP representative.
The former MLA praised "the actions and the courage of that particular individual".The former MLA praised "the actions and the courage of that particular individual".
Secretary of State Shaun Woodward has condemned the attack.
"The contrast between the PSNI officer, dedicated to serving the community, and those with no politics, no support and no principles, who carried this cowardly attack could not be clearer," he said.
"As Northern Ireland moves towards a new and better future, there remains a tiny minority of contemptible, criminal elements who have been rejected by the people, north and south.
"They will not be allowed to stand in the way of progress."
The police have been warning for some time that dissident groups have been trying to increase their activities and that they were actively targeting police officers.The police have been warning for some time that dissident groups have been trying to increase their activities and that they were actively targeting police officers.
In November, the Real IRA shot two officers in Londonderry and Dungannon, and in February police mounted a huge security operation across Northern Ireland because of fears that dissidents were planning another shooting or bombing.In November, the Real IRA shot two officers in Londonderry and Dungannon, and in February police mounted a huge security operation across Northern Ireland because of fears that dissidents were planning another shooting or bombing.