Lurgan Bomb Attack On Police Was 'A Clear Attempt To Murder' - PSNI

A bomb attack on police in Lurgan has been described as a "a clear attempt to murder".

Remnants of an improvised explosive device, which exploded during the alert, have now been recovered along with another device which was not capable of detonating, following the incident in the Victoria street area on Saturday.

Superintendent David Moore said: "The viable device that detonated during the operation was significant and absolutely designed to kill.

"This alert initially began with a call to the Samaritans that claimed a device, which had been aimed at a police patrol during the early hours, had failed to explode.

"A suspicious object was quickly located by responding officers and the area was evacuated. An exhaustive search was subsequently carried out, during which the second device detonated.

"At this time we do not believe that a device was at any time 'fired' at a police patrol. Both devices appear to have been planted in the area.

"It is my belief that the phone call and the first device were designed to lure police into the area to be targeted by the second device. This was a clear and unequivocal murder attempt on the policemen and women who serve the community in Lurgan.

"The professional, methodical and diligent way these same officers responded to this incident undoubtedly saved lives, their own and potentially those of local people who were placed in grave danger by the heinous criminals who planted this device."

A full investigation is underway.

(CD)