Thaindian News

London, March 9 (DPA) The Real IRA, a dissident splinter group of the Irish Republican Army, has claimed responsibility for an attack on an army barracks in Northern Ireland that killed two British soldiers, media reports said Sunday.
According to the Irish Times, Suzanne Breen, a reporter for Dublin-based Sunday Tribune, was contacted by a man providing “a recognised code word” and claimed responsibility for Saturday night’s shooting on behalf of the South Antrim brigade of the Real IRA.

Breen said the caller claimed that British soldiers were still “occupying” northern Ireland.

The attack took place as the army base north of Belfast took delivery of takeaway pizzas. Four others, including the two pizza delivery men, were injured.

One of the injured is said to be in a critical state.

The caller also claimed that the pizza delivery men were “collaborating with British rule” by serving British soldiers, Breen was quoted by the Irish Times as saying.

Political leaders in both Britain and Northern Ireland condemned the attack, as the police investigation into the shooting began.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown condemned the attack as “evil” and said: “No murderer will be able to derail a peace process that has the support of the great majority of Northern Ireland.”

“I think the whole country is shocked and outraged at the evil and cowardly attacks on soldiers serving their country.”

“We will do everything in our power to make sure that Northern Ireland is safe and secure and I assure you we will bring these murderers to justice,” Brown added.

Northern Ireland’s First Minister Peter Robinson has postponed a planned trip to the US to respond to the tragedy.

It is the first lethal attack on British forces in Northern Ireland in 12 years.