Three bombs planted outside houses in north Belfast today could have caused carnage and destruction, police said.
The PSNI was alerted to the devices by a telephoned warning overnight.
A caller said the devices had been left at addresses in Hallidays Road, New Lodge Road and North Queen Street.
All three streets in nationalist areas were cordoned off shortly after 3.30am, and British army bomb disposal experts worked for several hours to make safe what they described as viable devices.
There was no claim of responsibility.
Detectives appealed for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the early hours of this morning in the three areas to contact them.
The affected streets have been reopened.
