An off-duty policeman was dragged from his blazing car after he was the victim of a bomb attack, it has been claimed.

He received leg injuries following the explosion at around 9pm on Monday at Spamount, Co Tyrone.

Dissident republicans opposed to the peace process have been active in the west Tyrone area in the past.

There have been two attempts to shoot policemen in the last year - in Dungannon, Tyrone, and Londonderry.

Army technical officers were called to the scene and there will be a forensic examination. Spamount has been cordoned off.

Earlier this year police carried out extensive searches across the province linked to renegade republicans.

Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward said: "The contrast between the PSNI officer, dedicated to serving the community, and those with no politics, no support and no principles, who carried this cowardly attack could not be clearer.

"As Northern Ireland moves towards a new and better future, there remains a tiny minority of contemptible, criminal elements who have been rejected by the people, north and south.

"They will not be allowed to stand in the way of progress."