Police in Northern Ireland have arrested five men during a security operation in the Shankill Road area of Belfast.

The operation is understood to have been ordered by detectives investigating the New Year's Eve murder of a man in a pub.

Although the Royal Ulster Constabulary are yet to confirm the link, the search centred on the Lower Shankill Road where the gunmen hijacked their getaway car.

Two gunmen sprayed bullets into the Clifton Tavern on Cliftonsville Road on December 31, killing one Catholic and injuring five others.

The Loyalist Volunteer Force claimed the attack, leading to the death of Eddie Treanor, was in retaliation for the murder of its leader, Billy Wright, inside the Maze Prison.

Police believe the larger loyalist paramilitary group, the Ulster Freedom Fighters, who are supposed to be holding to a ceasefire, were involved.

The RUC said arrests had been made in Thursday's security operation, which is continuing with house searches in the area.

One weapon, believed to be an air rifle, was found during the crackdown.

Relatives of Mr Treanor appealed for there to be no attacks to revenge his death.
 

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