A blast bomb used to attack the home of three pensioners was one of the most powerful ever used in Northern Ireland, according to the police.

All three elderly people were injured when the device exploded in the Shankill area of Belfast shortly after 2000 GMT on Sunday.

One of them, who is 71 years old, is still in hospital with shrapnel wounds to her head, and eye.

Police said there was no doubt the pensioners could have been killed in the attack at the house in Ambleside Street.

There's no reason on earth why they should have been attacked Billy Hutchinson PUP MLA

Police said two youths were seen cycling past the house just minutes before the blast.

A police spokesman said the pensioners had lived in the house for years and they did not know what was behind the attack.

North Belfast assembly member Billy Hutchinson said he believed the attack was a case of mistaken identity.

"These are three Christian people and there's no reason on earth why they should have been attacked," said the Progressive Unionist Party politician.

Shankill DUP councillor Eric Smyth condemned the incident, saying it was time for the people of the area to be allowed get on with their lives.

"I think it is desperate - I have always come out against paramilitarism and all that has gone on on this road.

"I hope and pray that after last week there will be a bit of peace and quiet for the people who just want to get on with their lives and this doesn't help at all," he said.

Police attack

In a separate incident, another pensioner escaped injury after he picked up a pipe bomb in an alley at the back of his home at Madrid Street in east Belfast.

It is believed the device was thrown at Mountpottinger police station but missed its target.

The man lifted the device before calling the police. It was later made safe by Army bomb experts.

Police Inspector Richard Graham said the device could have caused serious injury.

"Whoever was behind throwing the device has obviously absolutely no regard either for the local community or for the police officers who work in the station providing a service to the local community," he said.

"If it had exploded, obviously injuries could have been caused."

Police are investigating a claim that the dissident Real IRA was behind the attack.