Hi °C | Lo °C A man has been shot in an attack which bore all the hallmarks of an old-style paramilitary punishment attack.
Police said today the 34-year-old man was shot in both ankles and both wrists at around 11pm last night in the west of Belfast.
He was shot in an alleyway off the Glen Road by a number of men who then fled the scene on foot.
A motive for the attack was being investigated, said a police spokesman.
The victim was being treated in hospital for injuries which were not believed to be life threatening.
Police appealed for anyone in the Glen Road area at the time, especially between the Rosnareen and Culmore areas, to contact them if they saw anything suspicious.
The shooting was the latest in a growing series carried out in nationalist areas of both Belfast and Londonderry in recent weeks.
SDLP West Belfast MLA Alex Attwood, condemning it, said those carrying out the attacks may be doing it to gain favour in the community.
He said: "This is the third incident in the last week, all of which have been located close to each other. This suggests it's possible that there's a group using personal attacks as a perverse attempt to win favour with elements in the community and gather influence over that community."
Mr Attwood, a member of the Policing Board, added: "It may even be that there's a particular group carrying out these assaults and attacks on human rights.
"For all these reasons this must be condemned and people must warn themselves and guard against these punishment attacks which are further damaging the cohesion and stability of our local community."
