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| Nine arrests in dissident search | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A gun and ammunition have been found and nine men arrested in Craigavon in a police operation targeting dissident republican activity. | |
| Searches are still going on in the Brownlow area. | |
| Dozens of officers began searching houses and fields in several parts of Craigavon close to Lurgan at about 0530 BST on Thursday. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| "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." |