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Policeman hurt in car bomb blast Policeman hurt in car bomb blast
(30 minutes later)
An officer from the Police Service of Northern Ireland has been taken to hospital after a bomb exploded under his car in County Antrim. A police officer is undergoing surgery after he was seriously injured in a dissident republican car bomb attack in Randalstown, County Antrim.
The man, who is a Catholic, was seriously injured in the explosion which happened on the Milltown Road in Randalstown at 0630 GMT. The 33-year-old Catholic officer is in "a very serious condition" in hospital according to PSNI spokesman, Detective Chief Superintendent Derek Williamson.
It is believed the officer had driven about a mile from his home when the bomb went off. He said the policeman, who was caught in the blast on the Milltown Road at 0630 GMT, was a "highly regarded" officer who had served for ten years.
Army technical officers are now at the scene of the ongoing security alert. The police and army are at the scene.
Detective Chief Superintendent Williamson told the media that dissident republicans were responsible for the bombing but it was too early to say which group had carried out the attack.
He described it as an "atrocious act of terrorism carried out by cowardly thugs".
He said the injured officer was on his way to Woodbourne police station in west Belfast when the bomb exploded.
It is believed the victim had driven about a mile from his home when the bomb went off.
'Murder attempt''Murder attempt'
No one has claimed responsibility for planting the bomb, but the DUP's William McCrea, who is the MP in the area, said he had no doubt that dissident republicans were behind the attack.
The chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, Barry Gilligan, said the bombing was "an attempt to murder".The chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, Barry Gilligan, said the bombing was "an attempt to murder".
He added that those who carried it out "cannot be allowed to succeed in bringing any further terror" to the community.He added that those who carried it out "cannot be allowed to succeed in bringing any further terror" to the community.
Northern Ireland Security Minister Paul Goggins described it as a "vile attack" which would "sicken people".Northern Ireland Security Minister Paul Goggins described it as a "vile attack" which would "sicken people".
He said the work the PSNI was doing to make towns and cities safer was "in stark contrast to those who tried to murder this officer".He said the work the PSNI was doing to make towns and cities safer was "in stark contrast to those who tried to murder this officer".
SDLP Policing Spokesperson Alex Attwood expressed his "sincere sympathy to the injured young officer" and said that no ground must be conceded to dissidents.SDLP Policing Spokesperson Alex Attwood expressed his "sincere sympathy to the injured young officer" and said that no ground must be conceded to dissidents.
The Alliance leader, David Ford, said he was "appalled at this murderous attack" and added that the bombers were "seeking to drag us backwards into the dark days of the Troubles".The Alliance leader, David Ford, said he was "appalled at this murderous attack" and added that the bombers were "seeking to drag us backwards into the dark days of the Troubles".
'Sick acts''Sick acts'
Sinn Fein's Mitchel McLaughlin, who is an Assembly Member for South Antrim, said groups who carried such attacks were "acting contrary to the wishes of the Irish people who want to see the continued development of a peaceful and democratic political process".Sinn Fein's Mitchel McLaughlin, who is an Assembly Member for South Antrim, said groups who carried such attacks were "acting contrary to the wishes of the Irish people who want to see the continued development of a peaceful and democratic political process".
Ulster Unionist South Antrim MLA Danny Kinahan said that while those who carried out the bombing were "intent on undermining the stability of Northern Ireland", the community would reject the "sick acts and beliefs" of terrorists.Ulster Unionist South Antrim MLA Danny Kinahan said that while those who carried out the bombing were "intent on undermining the stability of Northern Ireland", the community would reject the "sick acts and beliefs" of terrorists.
Dissident republicans have been responsible for a spate of bomb attacks across Northern Ireland in the last year.Dissident republicans have been responsible for a spate of bomb attacks across Northern Ireland in the last year.
In October, a dissident group planted a bomb under a policeman's car in east Belfast.In October, a dissident group planted a bomb under a policeman's car in east Belfast.
His partner suffered minor injuries in the attack.His partner suffered minor injuries in the attack.