The Loughgall ambush of May 8th, 1987 represented the largest number of casualties for the IRA in any engagement with the security forces during the Troubles. Eight members of the East Tyrone brigade, including some of the IRA's most experienced activists, were shot dead by the SAS.
At least 24 SAS men were lying in wait at six positions as the IRA group arrived to carry out a gun and bomb attack on Loughall RUC station.
Three of the paramilitaries travelled in a JCB digger which contained a 400lb bomb in its barrow.
The rest jumped out of a blue van and opened fire on the barracks as the digger broke through fencing and the bomb exploded, demolishing the station.
The station was empty as the RUC had become aware of the planned attack days earlier.
The IRA members died instantly when they came under heavy machinegun and rifle fire. A total of 678 spent cartridges were recovered from the scene, most of which had been fired by the British army.
At the inquest into their deaths, SAS men said they did not offer any warnings before opening fire. Among those killed was the commander of the IRA's East Tyrone brigade, Patrick Kelly (30), and Jim Lynagh (32) from Monaghan, another seasoned activist.
The others killed were from Co Tyrone. They were Declan Arthurs (21), Seamus Donnelly (19), Michael Gormley (25), Eugene Kelly (25), Patrick McKearney (32), and Gerard O'Callaghan (29).
Between them, the eight men were believed to have been involved in gun and bomb attacks along the Border.