EPA Police on the streets during the Brussels lockdown

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A number of streets were sealed off and people were escorted back to their homes by the police while public transport was also halted. Five tram lines stopped their services because of police orders.

Brussels terrorist attacks Wed, March 22, 2017 The Brussels airport and Metro bombings in pictures, including the aftermath of the tragic scenes. Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 61 A member of the civil protection holds his face in his hands as he come back from the Maalbeek metro station in Brussels

There is speculation that the operation is linked to terrorism investigation. According to Belgium press, one armed person was arrested during the lockdown. A police officer said: "Several streets have been blocked, operations are in progress, but we will not give any details tonight." The police lifted the lockdown at around 8pm.

Lock down in our part of #Brussels . Police sent me back in. Lots of sirens out there. pic.twitter.com/4PjjwC3rIS — Jessica J.J. Lutz (@JessicaJJLutz) December 19, 2016

RTL Trams in Brussels have been halted

Several streets have been blocked, operations are in progress, but we will not give any details tonight Police officer

One Twitter user said: “Lock down in our part if Brussels. Police sent me back in. Lots of sirens out there.” In October, two Belgian police officers were attacked in Schaerbeek in an incident classified as a suspected terrorist act. The political journalist, Thomas Gadisseux, tweeted: "Terrorist operation happening in Schaerbeek near to the Liedts place. A large number of police officers have been deployed since the beginning of the day."

EPA A number of streets in the capital of Belgium have been seeled off