North Sydney: More than a dozen men wearing black balaclavas held on a Sydney train after they were seen at Artarmon station with Australian flags

More than a dozen hooded men wearing balaclavas seen at a station waving Australian flags and chanting have been held on a train by police in shocking Australia Day scenes. 

The group of men dressed in all-black were held on the train at North Sydney station after they boarded the train at Artarmon station further up the northern line in Sydney on Friday afternoon.   

Soon after NSW Police confirmed a police operation had commenced at North Sydney. 

All passengers on board the train were evacuated.

The group of men are understood to have walked through Artarmon station with their faces covered by dark sunglasses and black balaclavas. 

More than a dozen men wearing balaclavas (pictured) have been held on a train in north Sydney on Friday afternoon

The men dressed in all-black (pictured) were seen carrying an Australian flag while another man who was part of the group was seen holding a shield

They were heard chanting while they waved Australian flags with one man who was part of the group also seen carrying a shield. 

Moments later, they boarded the train before it was halted three stops later at North Sydney station by police. 

More than 20 officers boarded the train before the group of men were held on board while dozens of others stood on the platform.

Transport for NSW has issued an alert saying buses and trains have been diverted away from North Sydney station. 

Daily Mail Australia has contacted NSW Police for comment.  

Police halted the train at North Sydney station (pictured) and held a group of about a dozen men dressed in all black on board

More to come