Army bomb experts recover the remains of an exploded pipe bomb in east Belfast

DETECTIVES are investigating a motive behind a bomb attack in east Belfast.

A viable pipe bomb detonated in the Dundonald area in the early hours of the morning.

A security alert was sparked in the Millars Forge area just after 1am on Thursday.

Army technical officers were called to the scene to examine a suspect object.

During a search of the area, the ATO found the remnants of the exploded device in the garden of a property.

A man was in the house at the time, but he escaped without injury.

Slight damage was caused to a car parked in the area.

The alert ended at around 6am.

Detectives from the PSNI’s Serious Crime Branch are appealing for anyone with information to contact them on 0845 600 8000 or through anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.