Two men have been arrested over the attempted murder of a senior police detective in Northern Ireland.

Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell was shot several times on 22 February in Omagh, where he had been coaching a youth football team.

He was putting balls in a car when he was attacked in front of his young son and other children, who were seen running for cover.

Detectives investigating the attack arrested two men on Friday morning, police said.

The pair, aged 28 and 70, were detained following separate searches in Co Tyrone.

“They have been taken to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite for questioning, and remain in custody at this time,” police in Fermanagh & Omagh said.

It brings the total number of arrests in the investigation to 17.

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Mr Caldwell, who suffered “life-changing” injuries in the attack, was released from hospital in April.

The attack was condemned across the political spectrum, including from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak who said he was appalled by the “disgraceful shooting”.

It also led to protests in Co Tyrone against paramilitary violence in solidarity with Mr Caldwell.

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