Security operation in south Belfast on Wednesday night in which four men were arrested

FOUR men are in custody following a security operation in south Belfast.

During the incident on Wednesday night, an officer drew his gun and fired a warning shot into the air during the arrest operation.

According to the PSNI, officers received a “telephone call” claiming a number of men were trying to force their way into a house in south Belfast.

The report claimed a gun was produced during the attempted break-in.

During a follow up operation, an PSNI Armed Response Vehicle (ARV)  chased a car along the Donegall Road.

The police car intercepted the fleeing vehicle by cutting across it and forcing it up onto the pavement.

It was then an armed cop drew a firearm and fired a shot into the air.

As a result, four men in the car – believed by police to loyalist paramilitaries – were arrested and taken into custody for questioning.

Detectives are trying to establish a motive for the incident.

The Police Ombudsman is now investigating after a PSNI officer drew his gun and fired a warning shot.

During the security and arrest operation, police closed the Donegall Road between the City Hospital and Roden Street.