Loyalist paramilitaries fired shots at a house in England where former UDA boss Johnny Adair's wife and children are staying, British police said this afternoon.
Gunmen fired at the house in Bolton, Lancashire, where Gina Adair and her children fled after she was forced out of Belfast at the height of an internal feud.
The Ulster Freedom Fighters, who claimed they were behind the attack, later warned: "Action will be taken against anyone providing guns or a safe haven for these outcasts."
Adair, once the most feared loyalist paramilitary leader in Northern Ireland, was thrown back in prison after a shooting war with his former comrades.
His wife and tiny band of supporters were driven out of their stronghold in the Lower Shankill area of Belfast by a rival faction intent on avenging the murder of another terror chief, John Gregg.
They travelled to Scotland before moving down into parts of England.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed several shots were fired through the window of a house on Chorley New Road, Bolton, just before 2 a.m. No one was injured.
Police sources also confirmed Gina Adair was staying in the house targeted.
Even though detectives have described the attack as an isolated incident, police patrols have been stepped up in the area amid fears of further attacks.
The bitter power struggle between Adair and his rivals in the Ulster Defence Association, the UFF's parent organisation, erupted last year after he was expelled from the grouping.
As tensions heightened, Adair was ordered back to Maghaberry Prison near Lisburn, Co Antrim in January and told he must stay behind bars until 2005. It is understood he has lobbied the authorities to be transferred to a jail in England.
In a statement issued today, the UFF said: "As a result of an ongoing investigation into the murder of John Gregg, Robert Carson and other criminal activities by Adair and his associates, last night an ASU (active service unit) of the Ulster Freedom Fighters attempted to oust members of the Adair faction in Bolton, England.
"At the same time another section of the same faction were moved from the Shankill area.
"As the investigation continues and more evidence is uncovered, action will be taken against anyone providing guns or a safe haven for these outcasts.
"They will be moved on wherever they are."
Bolton Police Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent Don Brown appealed for the public not to panic.
He said: "We would like to reassure local residents as we believe this is an isolated incident, although extra officers will be on patrol in the area over the next few days."
PA