FOUR men have been charged with paramilitary offences after an armour-piercing mortar bomb was discovered in Lurgan.
Police said the "potentially lethal" device, packed with Semtex, was discovered in a derelict house in a residential area and was "ready for deployment".
The improvised 'Explosively Formed Projectile' (EFP) was designed to penetrate armour when fired from a makeshift launcher at relatively close range.
A 22-year-old man was charged with the attempted murder of police officers and possession of explosives with intent to endanger life on August 31 in Lurgan.
Three men, aged 22, 24 and 46, were also charged with targeting a former member of the security forces in Craigavon.
All four are to appear before Craigavon Magistrates' Court on Tuesday morning.
The men had been arrested as part of major searches in Lurgan last week.
A 22-year-old man arrested last Thursday as part of the same investigation was released unconditionally over the weekend.
Assistant Chief Constable Will Kerr said similar devices had been used to "try to kill police officers".
"Our action has probably saved lives and definitely made the community safer," he said.
Police issued a photo of part of the device, showing its casing, a detonator, Semtex and copper piping.
Mr Kerr added: "This investigation has been running for some time, led by detectives from Crime Operations who have worked closely with colleagues in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon District and received invaluable support from colleagues in Operational Support Department.
"The device was located in a derelict house in a residential area close to people's homes. Those responsible have absolutely no regard for the local community, or indeed any community."
He asked anyone with "influence in the community" to persuade people not to get involved in dissident activity.
"People who get involved, particularly young people, face the prospect of significant, possibly life changing, consequences," he said.
He also thanked people living in the area for their "patience and understanding" during police searches.
"Our primary aim has been community safety," he said. We are committed to doing this by working with the community and acting on information provided to us so that together we can keep people safe."
Policing Board chair Anne Connolly praised the policing operation.
"This operation has thwarted a likely attack and made safe a device designed to kill," she said.
"Police are to be commended for their work on this investigation and the wider community will also be thankful that police actions have prevented a potentially lethal attack."
DUP MLA Carla Lockhart said the bomb find "represents a real blow to dissident republicans".
"The mortar had the potential to seriously damage and destroy," she said.
"The individuals who carry out this activity have no regard for life. The devastating consequences, had this device been used do not bear thinking about and I condemn those who think it is appropriate to carry out this type of activity in our community."
