Police attacked in dissident raid

A car was burnt out during the trouble

Police carrying out searches in a crackdown on republican dissidents in Craigavon have come under attack.

There were sporadic stoning and petrol bomb attacks by youths and police foiled bids to hijack a lorry and bus. There are no reports of injuries.

A car was burnt out during the disturbances.

A number of roads are closed and motorists are advised to avoid the Meadowbank and Drumbeg areas to avoid any possible delays.

Nine people were arrested following the searches and firearms and ammunition recovered. The operation followed growing security force concern at the increasing technical ability of dissident groups.

Dozens of officers and sniffer dogs searched houses and fields in several parts of Craigavon, close to Lurgan, at about 0530 BST on Thursday.

Police carried out searches in Craigavon

A gun and ammunition were found, and Army bomb experts examined items found at a number of sites.

The men are being questioned at the serious crime facility at Antrim police station.

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.

A number of devices have been test-fired, and security sources say some were found to be more advanced than similar devices used by the IRA.