Suspected terrorist shooting of police officer in north Belfast the first incident of its kind in eight years
A POLICE officer has been shot three times in the right arm in a suspected terrorist attack in north Belfast.
The uniformed community cop was at a petrol station at around 7.30pm when he was blasted in the arm, in what is the first attack of its kind in eight years.
Up to 10 shots were fired from a high velocity rifle in the drive-by shooting cops suspect was carried out by violent dissident Republicans.
Police Service of Northern Ireland's Chief Constable George Hamilton said a bullet-proof vest may have saved the injured officer's life.
Mr Hamilton said it was a "planned operation" and "completely reckless".
A 36-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the attack and a car recovered in the New Lodge area of North Belfast.
Dissident Republicans have attempted to kill members of the security forces in Northern Ireland in recent years.
The police officer was rushed to hospital where he is in a stable condition and is under-going surgery.
Mr Hamilton added: "I condemn this, the first shooting attack upon police for some time, the first one of this year.
"Anyone in the area who may have seen anything to report to us immediately."
He refused to comment on speculation that the weapon used was an AK47 but added that the attack was "planned and premeditated".
No one else was injured in the attack and PSNI officers did not return fire.
A spokesman for the Police Federation said: "There are reports that one of our officers has been injured in a terrorist shooting in Belfast.
"Thoughts are with him and his family."
The "cowardly attack" has been condemned by Northern Ireland leaders.
North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds said: "This is a deeply disturbing incident which echoes back to the kind of terrorism we used to face on a daily basis.
"My thoughts are with the officer who has been injured and I pray that the injuries sustained after not life-threatening and they can make a full recovery.
"We must all stand against those who wish to use treats, intimidation and violence to further their political ends. It is vital we all stand against such activity and work to move Northern Ireland forward.”
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Northern Ireland justice minister Claire Sugden has described the attack as "sickening".
DUP leader Arlene Foster condemned the shooting and said it was "the work of cowards".
While Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly said those responsible had "absolutely nothing to offer society and need to call a halt to these activities immediately".
Alliance Party Leader Naomi Long said she believed the attacker "intended to kill" and that "using guns in a residential area shows a callous disregard for the entire community".
This attack on the life of an officer is a stark reminder of the determination on the part of terrorists to murder and maim police officers
Mark Lindsay, Police Federation for Northern Ireland
Mark Lindsay, chairman of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, said: "This is an appalling act, and I wish to condemn it in the strongest possible terms.
"This attack on the life of an officer is a stark reminder of the determination on the part of terrorists to murder and maim police officers.
"They believe that by causing great grief to a family they are somehow advancing their warped and outdated plan.
"The wider community will be outraged by this attack on one of their police officers.
"The police serve the entire community and wounding one individual is an attack on the entire community."
Chief constable George Hamilton hit out at those responsible. He tweeted: "Brave officers attempting to in Nth Belfast attacked by faceless people with gunfire. Thoughts with injured officer."
The road has been closed while police investigate.
The attack comes as Northern Ireland prepares for fresh elections after the collapse of power-sharing.
Former Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness resigned in protest over a botched heating scheme which left the region facing a £490million overspend
Northern Ireland Secretary of State James Brokenshire has said his "thoughts are with the officer and his family".
He added: "I appeal to anyone who has information about the shooting to contact the PSNI immediately.
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