The murder bid happened in the Short Strand area on Friday night.

According to security sources, dissident republicans lobbed an”improvised explosive device” at a passing police patrol.

The device did not detonate and no injuries were reported.

The PSNI’s ‘India 99’ helicopter was launched to support police units on the ground in follow up inquiries.

Army Technical Officers from Palace Barracks in Holywood. Co Down are at the scene examining the object.

Security sources believe either a pipe or ‘drogue’ bomb was thrown at the police patrol but investigators will not know until the device is further examined by ATO.

A security source told Belfast Daily: “We are in a very dangerous situation at the moment.

“Dissident republicans are highly active in Belfast and their intention is to either murder or maim a police officer.”

Friday night’s attack comes on the back of an under car booby trap bomb found off the Cliftonville Road in north Belfast on Wednesday afternoon.

Following a controlled explosion, the UCBT was made safe.

There is now a heightened alert across Belfast with police patrols advised to “armour up” over further attacks.