The security forces reacted to the continuing violence in a number of ways. The RUC created its own SAS-style unit, training its men for violent encounters with the IRA and INLA. Known as E4A its approach was based, in the words of a senior police officer, on ‘speed, firepower and aggression’. All these characteristics were on display when, in three separate incidents in a period of a month, E4A members shot and killed five men and a youth, all in County Armagh. Three were IRA members, two were in the INLA and one was a civilian. Some of these were clearly dangerous men, but all those killed
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