Police remain at the scene of an attempted mortar bomb attack in Keady in Co Armagh.
A senior police officer said that the device had the potential to cause death or serious injury.
It was found in a van left abandoned outside the police station in the town around six thirty this morning.
The device was made safe by British army technical officers and taken away for investigation.
Police say that Davis Street in the busy cross border town is likely to remain closed overnight.
A number of people were evacuated from their homes early this morning.
Earlier a senior PSNI officer defended criticism of the length of time it took his officers to respond to the incident, saying that he had to consider their safety.
Chief Inspector Ken Mawhinney said 'unfortunately experience has demonstrated that criminal terrorist elements have used the cover of similar incidents to lure police into this area with the express intention of murdering police officers'.
People affected by the ongoing investigation have been advised to go to their local community centres for assistance.
