IRA terrorists launch attacks on Belfast police

Suspected IRA terrorists ambushed an armored police vehicle with rocket and machine-gun fire, and sprayed a police station with bullets in the heart of Catholic west Belfast, officials said. No fatalities were reported in the attacks, which heightened tension in this country.

The outlawed Irish Republican Army's political wing, Sinn Fein, said it would run in the next British general election. Sinn Fein scored a surprise success in recent elections to a Northern Ireland assembly, winning five seats.