LONDON (AP) — Police in Northern Ireland have arrested two men in connection with the attempted murder of a police officer in east Belfast.

Police said Tuesday the men — aged 25 and 34 — were arrested late Monday in the Belfast area. They have not been identified. The arrests are part of the investigation into an attempt to kill an off-duty police officer at his home in east Belfast.

Police say the officer and his wife and children were getting ready to leave for Sunday lunch when they discovered a bomb under the family car.

Belfast has been hit by a serious increase in sectarian violence in recent weeks.