PSNI CHIEF constable Sir Hugh Orde has stated that the dissident republicans suspected of planting the booby-trap bomb that seriously injured an off-duty police officer are "lashing out" because they realised they "were in their endgame".
The attack on the 27-year-old Catholic officer from Co Tyrone prompted widespread republican, nationalist and unionist criticism with Sinn Féin leaders unequivocal in condemning the bombing and urging those with information about the people responsible to bring it to the police.
The officer, who joined the PSNI 3½ years ago, was on his way to work in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, when the bomb exploded under his car close to the village of Spamount, near Castlederg, Co Tyrone.
He sustained serious leg wounds although his injuries are said not to be life-threatening.
He is the third officer, all of them Catholics, to be targeted by dissident republicans since last November.
His injuries could have been more serious but for the action of passersby who took him away from the car shortly before the petrol tank exploded, engulfing the vehicle in flames.
One of those who assisted was Thomas Sproule from Castlederg. "I saw petrol dripping from the back of the blown up car so we decided to move the police officer away to safety," he said.
"We lifted him behind a fence about 30 yards away from his car and then bang, the petrol ignited and his car was completely gutted in the fire. He was conscious all the time and said he was in constant pain.
"He was losing quite a bit of blood and he had a wound about the size of a tennis ball in his thigh right down to the bone. He was worried that his leg had been blown off but me and this other man kept telling him he was okay," said Mr Sproule.
The wounded police officer was taken to Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry and underwent emergency surgery. He was visited yesterday by members of his family and by colleagues, among them assistant chief constable Judith Gillespie.
She urged all officers to be more alert in terms of their personal safety both on and off duty. The officer will remain under police guard in hospital until he's discharged.
Sir Hugh Orde blamed dissident republicans for the attack. They were in their "end game", he said.
Local West Tyrone Sinn Féin MP Pat Doherty said anyone with information should bring it to the police and be prepared to give evidence in court. "This was an outrage that has to be absolutely condemned. There is no support for these people."
First Minister, the Rev Ian Paisley, welcomed the "universal condemnation" of the attack.