An explosive device was left outside a police station in Strabane, Co Tyrone.
The viable explosive was discovered on waste ground near Strabane station, following a telephone bomb warning early on Monday morning.
Homes in the area were evacuated as Army bomb disposal experts removed the object for further examination.
The finger of blame will again point at dissident republican elements intent on destabilising the peace process.
Police Service of Northern Ireland Area Commander for Strabane, Ch Insp Andy Lemon condemned those responsible.
"Those who placed this device are solely responsible for the disruption and upset that was caused," he said.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank those local residents for their patience and co-operation whilst my officers and Army technical officers made the device safe and ensured they could return to their homes knowing the threat of danger had been removed.
"I unreservedly condemn this action. It is shameful that the people who left this device have such little regard for the local community."
He added: "This device was in waste ground, near to homes and local life, and had it gone off, we could have been dealing with a very different situation today. There could have been serious death or injury caused."
© Press Association