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Last Updated: Sunday March 08 2009 11:36 GMT

Soldiers shot at NI army barracks

Police at the Massereene Barracks

A huge police investigation is under way after two British soldiers were killed by an armed gang in an attack on an army barracks in Northern Ireland.

The men, who were in their early twenties, were shot dead as they accepted a pizza delivery at the gates of the Massereene Barracks in Antrim.

Two other soldiers and two pizza delivery men were also seriously hurt.

It's thought the people responsible for the attacks disagreed with the Northern Ireland peace process.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown
The peace process was set up after 30 years of trouble between some people who believe Northern Ireland should be part of a united Ireland, and others who believe it should stay as part of the UK.

There hasn't been a shooting like this for 12 years and politicians say they're determined this attack won't stop their efforts for peace.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was shocked and outraged by the attack, which he described as "evil and cowardly".

"We will do everything in our power to make sure that Northern Ireland is safe and secure," he said. "And I assure you we will bring these murderers to justice."

The area surrounding the barracks has been sealed off and a massive security operation is underway.