A suspected terror-style car bomb attack outside a police station has triggered an attempted murder investigation after residents, including two babies, were rushed to safety moments before the vehicle exploded.

Police say the dramatic blast happened late Saturday night outside Dunmurry police station on the outskirts of Belfast, after a delivery driver was allegedly hijacked and forced to transport a device hidden inside his own car.

Authorities are now examining whether the assault was linked to the dissident republican group known as the New IRA.

Driver Hijacked And Forced To Deliver Bomb

According to investigators, the driver’s vehicle was seized shortly after 10:50pm in Twinbrook, west Belfast. A gas cylinder device was then placed inside before he was ordered to drive the car to the station.

Once parked outside the building, the device detonated.

Police said quick action by officers prevented what could have been a far worse tragedy.

Police Service of Northern Ireland Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton said there were “very many similarities” with a previous attack at Lurgan police station in County Armagh.

He added: “early working hypothesis is that this may well be the work of the New IRA who claimed responsibility for the attack in Lurgan”.

“Having said that, obviously our investigators will keep an open mind, it is still at the very early stages of the investigation,” he added.

“Our thoughts today are with all those affected by this cowardly attack and the delivery driver for whom this will have been an extremely traumatic experience,” Singleton said.

Residents Fled Homes As Blast Hit Residential Street

The explosion rocked a heavily populated neighborhood, where many elderly residents live.

Several locals were evacuated into the police station before later being moved to Brook Leisure Centre for the night. Others remained inside their homes until morning.

One woman said her mother had been badly shaken by the blast. Another carer said she was unable to reach a client living inside the restricted zone.

Most chilling of all, officers were escorting families to safety when the device went off.

Two babies were among those being moved away from danger.

PM Condemns Attack

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer strongly denounced the incident.

He wrote on X: “My thoughts are with the local community, and with the PSNI officers who work every day to keep people safe. I urge anyone with information to come forward.”

“Those responsible will be brought to justice.”

Police Chief Slams ‘Mindless Idiots’

Chief Constable Jon Boutcher issued a furious response, saying the attack endangered police and civilians alike.

“It was everyone’s responsibility to call out such reckless attacks”.

“This was not just an attack aimed at our incredible and hard-working police officers and staff. These mindless idiots wantonly risked the lives of local residents including very young children,” he said.

“This was an attack against the very society that so many people have strived to achieve.”

Political Leaders Unite In Condemnation

Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill said those behind the bombing “have no vision, no support, and have nothing to offer our society”.

She added: “our communities deserve peace”.

“No one is going to deny our young people and future generations that,” she said.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly also condemned the blast.

“These acts of terrorism are as wrong today as they were in the past,” she said.

“This is not the future, it is the worst dregs of our past.”

‘Device Sent To Kill Officers’

Policing Board Chair Brendan Mullan said the bomb was clearly intended to cause maximum casualties.

The explosive device was “sent to kill officers and cause maximum harm in an attack which was in the heart of a residential area”.

“It is a miracle no one was seriously injured and we thank the officers, ATO and emergency services who initially responded, and have been working to ensure everyone’s safety since,” he said.

He added the second attack on a police station in recent weeks “which is depressing”.

“The people have spoken when they overwhelmingly endorsed the Good Friday Agreement,” he said.

“Such acts of violence have no place in a society committed to peace. We stand united in condemnation of those responsible for this terror, and in voicing support for the work of the officers and staff of the PSNI.”

More Politicians React

Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood said it was disturbing to wake up to news of a car bomb.

“It is deeply concerning that this comes just weeks after a similar attack just past the other end of Lagan Valley in Lurgan.”

West Belfast MP Paul Maskey said those involved “represent no one, are void of support and have nothing to offer our society”.

“They should get off the backs of our communities who want to live in peace and continue moving forward to a better future,” he said.

“What is clear is that the overwhelming majority of the public rejects these ridiculous actions and understands they achieve nothing but disruption.”

DUP leader Gavin Robinson said: “Those responsible must be identified and brought before the courts,” he said.

SDLP leader Claire Hanna described it as a “disruptive distressing experience” for residents.

UUP Leader Jon Burrows said the attack endangered the lives of “men, women children and babies”.

People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said putting car bombs “outside police stations, next to residential homes…will not achieve anything. We have a different path that people need to take”.

Secretary Of State Warns Peace Will Prevail

Secretary of State Hilary Benn called the bombing “a cowardly attempt to cause injury and destruction”.

“By targeting a police station in the heart of a residential area, those responsible have shown a total disregard for the lives of local people and for the men and women who work to keep our communities safe,” he said.

“We are resolute in our commitment to peace, and these actions will only strengthen our collective determination.”

Who Are Dissident Republicans?

The term refers to factions that reject the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, the peace accord that largely ended decades of violence during the Troubles.

The Provisional IRA declared a ceasefire before the agreement and formally ended its armed campaign in 2005.

Dissident republican groups later emerged through splinter movements in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, including the Continuity IRA and the New IRA.