The RUC has said a booby-trap bomb which seriously injured an RUC officer on Wednesday in Castlewellan, Co Down, was similar to devices previously used by loyalists. Supt Raymond McGreevy said the claim was based on preliminary forensic reports.
The police officer, who lost a leg in the explosion, underwent a six-hour operation at Belfast's Royal Victoria hospital and awaits further surgery. The device was in a traffic cone and went off when he moved it away from a gate. No one has admitted responsibility, but it was believed that dissident republicans were responsible.
The SDLP MP for the area, Mr Eddie McGrady, said: "If it turns out to have been loyalists behind this, it is obviously a consequence of police activity in loyalist areas. This could be a warning, although this device was such that it was clearly intended to kill or maim."