Series of parcel bombs sent to British military offices blamed on Irish militants

The British government held an emergency meeting on Thursday after a string of crude but potentially viable explosive devices were mailed to armed forces recruitment offices, which it attributed to Northern Ireland insurgents.

The devices, sent to seven offices in southeast England, bore the hallmarks of Northern Irish terror attacks, Downing Street said.

Counterterrorism police are investigating and army bomb disposal crews were sent to assist. Sources said they could have caused injury.

Prime Minister David Cameron chaired a meeting of the government’s crisis committee, called Cobra, to discuss the situation.

“Seven suspect packages have been identified as containing small, crude, but potentially viable devices bearing the hallmarks of Northern Ireland-related terrorism,” a Downing Street spokeswoman said afterwards. “These have now been safely dealt with by the police and bomb disposal units.

“Guidance has been issued to staff at all military establishments and Royal Mail asking them to be extra vigilant and to look out for any suspect packages and the screening procedures for mail to armed forces careers offices is being reviewed.”