BELFAST, Northern Ireland -- Eleven civilians were injured when an Irish Republican Army mortar attack devastated a village on the border between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland Monday night, the Royal Ulster Constabulary said.
About 90 buildings were damaged in the two mortar attacks against the British security base in Bessbrook, county Armagh, a predominantly protestant village, 55 miles south of Belfast.
The IRA later claimed responsibility for the raid, saying it launched two mark 14 mortars known as 'barrack busters' from vehicles parked close to the security base, which includes the busiest military heliport in Europe. More than 50 helicopter flights take place at the base each day.
The base sustained only slight damage.
One of the 11 injured remained in the hospital Tuesday, after suffering a suspected heart attack.
'Two mortars were fired and exploded outside the station complex,' the spokesman said. 'Ninety homes...including the local Catholic church and community center, have been damaged. Some of the homes have been seriously damaged.'
The Volkswagen van and a four-wheel drive cruiser used in the attack were abandoned near the rear of the station. Both vehicles had false licnese plates.
'Yet again the terrorists have shown a complete disregard for the safety and lives of many civilians who live in close proximity to the RUC station,' the spokesman said.
Surrounding homes and streets were evacuated after the two mortar bombs were fired into the station. Damage to the complex was described as 'not substantial' and the station was back in operation three hours after the attack.
The member of parliament for the area, Seamus Mallom, said the raid was 'senseless and indefensible' and 'it is only a matter of time before many people are killed in these mortar attacks. It was only by the grace of god a disaster didn't happen in Bessbrook.'
