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Seven held in dissident searches Seven held in dissident searches
(about 1 hour later)
Seven men have been arrested in Craigavon in what police say is a major operation against dissident republican activity. Seven men have been arrested in Craigavon in a police operation against dissident republican activity.
Planned searches are still going on in the Brownlow area. Police said there could be disruption for some time. Searches are still going on in the Brownlow area. Police said there could be disruption for some time.
Chief Inspector Pauline Shields apologised for the disruption but said the searches were necessary. Dozens of officers began searching houses and fields in several parts of Craigavon close to Lurgan at about 0530 BST on Thursday.
The Army's bomb squad is also involved and is believed to be searching for explosives and bomb-making equipment.
It is believed the operation is targeting the Continuity IRA.
Republican dissidents have been active in the north Armagh area for the last few years and have been blamed for a number of failed attacks on the police.
The police searches are likely to last for much of the day.
Chief Inspector Pauline Shields apologised for the disruption but said the operation was necessary.
"I can assure local people that we will keep that disruption to a minimum," she said."I can assure local people that we will keep that disruption to a minimum," she said.
"As far as possible we want to ensure that people are able to go about their normal business. "I can also assure them that the operation will not be in place for one minute longer than is necessary."
"I can also assure them that the operation will not be in place for one minute longer than is necessary. "