§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many shots have been fired at the security forces in Northern Ireland from 1st April to the latest convenient date; what sort of weapons the terrorists used; what injuries occurred; how many times the terrorists' fire was returned; and with what results.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithI have been asked to reply.
I regret that without disproportionate effort it is possible only to provide details of shooting incidents involving the Army.
Between 1st April and 19th April there were 325 incidents of shots being fired at the troops, resulting in four military deaths and 15 injuries. The exact number of rounds fired is not known, but the terrorists used automatic weapons, high-velocity weapons, carbines, pistols and revolvers.
Troops fired in 158 incidents; two suspected terrorists are known to have been killed and 57 others are believed to have been hit.