DETECTIVES continued to question seven men from south Armagh yesterday following the seizure of a so called "supergun" outside Crossmaglen last Friday.
The US made Barrett Light Fifty sniper's rifle was seized along with an AK47 assault rifle, as well as ammunition for both weapons, during a joint British army RUC operation.
A Sinn Fein councillor, Mr Jim McAllister, claimed "serious beatings and injuries" had been inflicted on the seven. A spokesman for the RUC said: "We do not discuss or identify in, any way persons in our custody."
Ballistic tests are being conducted to discover if the seized weapons were used in attacks which have killed 10 members of the security forces since 1992.
A number of vehicles were also seized, along with masks and radio equipment. One of the cars is understood to be fitted with bullet proof armoured plating.
Meanwhile the RUC constable, Ms Alice Collins, who was shot by the IRA in Derry last Thursday, was said to be "very ill but stable" in the intensive care unit of the city's Altnagelvin hospital.
She underwent a six hour operation after being hit in the back by a single bullet as she stood guard outside Derry Crown Court. She has undergone further surgery.