The Police Service of Northern Ireland has said paramilitaries were involved in a blast bomb attack in a nationalist area of north Belfast in which three police officers and two British soldiers were injured.
A crowd of nationalists attacked members of the security forces who were responding to reports that the cab of a lorry was on fire on the Whitewell Road around 4.30 a.m. on Saturday. As they attempted to put out the blaze, a blast bomb was thrown by a youth.
It exploded near a security force vehicle which was damaged. The police and soldiers received only minor injuries and none required hospital treatment. The nationalists then continued attacking the security forces until back-up arrived. No-one was arrested.
The North's Security Minister, Ms Jane Kennedy, condemned the attack as "mindless". She said: "Attacks on police and security forces are simply unacceptable and will not be tolerated. I would urge community leaders to use their influence and help bring those responsible to justice."
Belfast's Lord Mayor, Mr Jim Rodgers, said he was "absolutely appalled" by the incident.
"Whoever carried out this attack was clearly determined to kill members of the security forces," he said.
Meanwhile, a Catholic family has escaped injury in a petrol bomb attack on their home in north Belfast. The house is owned by Mr Gerry McCullough, a trade unionist who took part in the peace rally at Belfast City Hall 10 days ago. The family said they had been attacked more than 20 times in the past 18 months and believed the motive was sectarian.
Meanwhile, a 54-year-old man will appear at Belfast Magistrates Court today charged with possession of firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life.
It follows the discovery of weapons and suspected contraband cigarettes in the garden of a house in New Barnsely Crescent, west Belfast, on Friday.