The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) reported they had arrested nine men and two women in relation to the shooting of its senior police detective John Caldwell.
He was shot while off-duty in the presence of his young son and other school children at a sports complex in Omagh on February 22nd. He suffered life-changing injuries.
The arrested individuals were aged between 21 and 72 and were detained under the Terrorism Act on Friday morning, the BBC reported.
Police also released new CCTV footage and photographs of the alleged vehicles used during the attack. They said the vehicles used by the gunmen were seen traveling in convoy on Drumnakilly Road en route to Omagh in the hours before the attack.
PSNI detective chief superintendent Eamonn Corrigan said the operation across County Tyrone marked a "significant development" in the investigation.
The 11 people arrested were part of 21 total detainees questioned since the beginning of investigations in relation to the attack. No charges were made.
NI Police: Attack Connected to New IRA
Police believe the attack was perpetrated by the dissident republican group, the New Irish Republican Army (New IRA).
They have alleged the two Ford Fiestas that were used in the attack were purchased in Ballyclare and Glengormley in County Antrim a few weeks before the attack. Both vehicles were found destroyed after the shooting.
Police added a third vehicle, a black Mercedes Benz C-Class, remained operational before and immediately after the attack.
Attack on Caldwell Connected to His Job
Caldwell was known as one of the best detectives in the Police Service of Northern Ireland. He was first known for leading the investigation into the 2011 murder of his colleague Ronan Kerr by dissident Republicans.
He became the target of Republican attacks after his investigation into the killing of Lyra McKee in 2019. The BBC reported the detective received a number of threats in the past.
Caldwell Meets King Charles and Queen Camilla
Police said Caldwell was discharged from hospital in April and gave his account of how he was attacked.
The 48-year-old detective made his first public appearance since the shooting on Wednesday at a garden party in Hillsborough Castle organized by King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
"John is making a good recovery, and we were all delighted that he was well enough to attend the party," Corrigan said.
