The RUC says that Loyalists attempted to murder a British soldier last night in a blast bomb attack.
The soldier suffered serious injuries in the attack, which occurred in north Belfast.
The 18-year-old soldier remains critically ill in hospital and must undergo emergency surgery to his lower body.
The soldier was wounded when troops came under attack from crowds hurling petrol bombs and other missiles in the Ardoyne area.
An elderly Catholic couple are also being treated for shock in the North after their home was also the target of a blast bomb attack.