Police said the explosion in Strabane was aimed at killing police officers

We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

Make the most of your money by signing up to our newsletter fornow

Superintendent Gordon McCalmont said: “At this time our assessment is that a device exploded while police were on patrol in the area of Townsend Street shortly after 8.30pm.

Police have said the explosion was "an attempt to kill police officers".

The device exploded just after 8.30pm on Tuesday as police were patrolling the area of Townsend Street in the County Tyrone, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said.

“The investigation is at an early stage and we have had to ask some residents to leave their homes while we carry out our enquiries.

"While we are unable to go into specifics of the incident at this stage, I am confident in saying that we are incredibly lucky that the lives of officers and other members of the community were not lost last night.

“We appreciate the understanding and patience of local residents while we carry out our enquiries and would appeal for anyone with information about suspicious activity in the area to contact us.”

Last night police said they were dealing with an "ongoing security alert" in the area as a result of an "incident".

In a tweet, the PSNI, said: "Ongoing Security Alert Strabane. There is currently no access to Strabane Town via Liskey Road due to an ongoing security incident."

They said the scene would remain closed until lunchtime as officers carried out further enquiries.

The incident came on the same day controversial former IRA chief Martin McGuinness died aged 66.

Mr McGuinness was seen as a peacemaker to some as he became chief negotiator during the Troubles' peace process.

However, some could not forgive him for his role as senior commander for the Provisional IRA in which he killed numerous people, directly or indirectly.

Police can be contacted on 101 or information can be passed anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.