A tournament being held at the Shandon Park Golf Club was cancelled when the device was found on Saturday afternoon and at least 70 people were evacuated.

Police say dissident republicans who planted a bomb under the car of an off-duty officer at a golf club in East Belfast acted "recklessly, cruelly and viciously."

Police and Army bomb disposal experts at Shandon Park Golf Club in east Belfast (Picture: PA).

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Army experts were called to the scene and, following examination, declared the device viable.

A robot was used to help remove it.

The golf course is situated near the headquarters of the PSNI.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Detective Superintendent Sean Wright said: "Our belief is that this attempted murder was carried out by violent dissident republicans.

"They don't care who they attack, they don't care who they kill. They are simply anti-peace and anti-democracy."

Club member Alan Paterson said an individual leaving the course noticed something under a car.

Someone immediately informed police and club members.

One of the vehicles detectives believe was used in the attack was registered in Dublin.