BELFAST, Northern Ireland (CNN) -- A British soldier was injured Sunday morning when a bomb exploded beneath his car in Ballynahinch, Northern Ireland.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the bomb, but the Irish Republican Army has in the past attached bombs to vehicles owned by police and British soldiers.

Belfast police told CNN the soldier and two fellow soldiers had been "socializing" and were doing a routine check of their vehicle when the bomb went off, demolishing half the car.

Despite the strength of the blast, the injured soldier suffered only minor cuts and abrasions and was treated at a hospital and released. His two companions were not injured.

Police said a thorough check of the area would be carried out after sunrise Ballynahinch is about 15 miles (24 kms) southeast of Belfast.

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