A large police presence in south Armagh after discovery of suspect bomb device. PIC: Gordon Adair

A MASSIVE security operation was launched on Tuesday following the discovery of a suspect ‘bomb device’ in south Armagh.

Dozens of police flooded the area two weeks after anti-terror cops warned that a device may have been left in the Cullyhanna area.

Dissident republicans are thought to have been trying to detonate a roadside bomb on a passing police patrol car a fortnight ago but it failed to go off.

Serious Crime Branch detectives drafted in sniffer dogs and officers trained in metal detecting yesterday to comb the area for a second ‘booby trap’ device planted nearby.

Officers closed the Bog Road and Lisleitrim Road in the village to traffic as the finger-tip search got underway.

Army technical officers were also called in to examine the scene and the device.

Security sources said the operation could last into today (Wednesday).

“The danger with these things is that the dissidents have become very skilled at fitting anti-handling devices to their bombs,” said a security source.

“Then there is also the possibility of a secondary device left close by. That’s why these operations are slow and methodical.”