Portadown: Object under soldier's car was not explosive
(about 3 hours later)
A controlled explosion has been carried out on a device found under a soldier's car in Portadown, County Armagh.
Police have said an object found under a serving soldier's car in County Armagh was not explosive, after a controlled explosion was carried out.
It is understood the booby trap bomb was discovered under a serving soldier's vehicle at Corbracky Road.
It is understood the soldier discovered the object under her vehicle at Corbracky Road, Portadown, on Friday afternoon and called police.
Upper Bann MP David Simpson said it was his understanding that the Army officer found the device earlier on Friday and that she phoned police.
Bomb disposal officers were called to scene and nearby houses were evacuated.
Bomb disposal officers were called to scene and a number of houses have been evacuated.
Supt Simon Walls said: "While police are keeping an open mind, the item is not believed to be suspicious."
'Serious situation'
"Although this incident caused disruption to local residents, my colleagues and I are committed to keeping people safe and this operation proves that this is our upmost priority."
The bomb squad carried out a controlled explosion on the device at about 16:45 GMT.
Earlier on Friday, police said Army Technical Officers (ATO) had been called to examine a "suspicious object" on Corbracky Road.
Mr Simpson, who is a member of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), said it was a "very serious situation".
Sources told the BBC they believed the object was a booby-trap bomb.
"We have to pay tribute to the diligence of the individual who discovered it.
A controlled explosion was carried out at about 16:45 GMT and a police spokesman later confirmed the object was not explosive.
"Today we could have been looking at a fatality, but the diligence was there and this device was discovered," the MP told the BBC's Evening Extra programme.
The security alert has now ended and residents have been allowed to return to their homes.
'Worrying development'
Mr Simpson said he believed dissident republicans were responsible for the attack but added that this had not yet been confirmed by the security forces.
Justice Minister David Ford said it was a "worrying development".
"It shows the value of vigilance on the part of this individual officer. It shows the need for vigilance, but I'm absolutely delighted that clearly vigilance has paid off."
Mr Ford also praised the actions of the bomb disposal team.
'Evil act'
Sinn Féin MLA John O'Dowd condemned the attack and said those responsible "do not speak for the local community and are not advancing any cause".
SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly said: "This was an evil act against an individual and those who carried it out have no regard for the safety of the wider public through their wanton recklessness for the lives of many."
The alert is continuing. Part of Corbracky Road has been closed to traffic and diversions are in place.
