Police said a number of suspicious objects found at a house in south Belfast on Saturday afternoon were declared "viable" and removed for further examination, and one man was arrested. Several homes on Bentham Drive, off the Donegall Road, were evacuated while officers carried out a search and made the area safe.
A police statement said the objects have been taken away for forensic examination and the security alert has ended. One man was arrested on suspicion of making and possessing explosives under suspicious circumstances and remains in custody while enquiries continue.
Det Insp Alexander said residents who had been evacuated were allowed to return to their homes and thanked the community for their cooperation and patience while officers secured the scene. The house and surrounding area were searched by specialist teams before the objects were removed.
Police did not release further details about the nature of the items, citing ongoing enquiries. The arrested man was taken to a police station for questioning under the relevant legislation covering suspected explosive offences.
Local emergency services remained at the scene during the operation and worked to ensure public safety while the search was conducted. The removal of the objects marked the end of the immediate safety threat, the statement added.
Security alerts and controlled evacuations are used routinely when potentially dangerous items are discovered so that specialist resources can examine and, if necessary, render items safe. Authorities said further information would be provided as it became available and that inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the discovery and manufacture of the items were continuing.