POLICE have released pictures of a crude device, discovered in the Upper Dunmurry Lane area of Belfast earlier this month, following a two day search.
Detectives from the PSNI’s Terrorism Investigation Unit said the weapon was loaded and ready to fire.
The search for the weapon resulted in a local primary school, church and homes being evacuated - with hundreds of people having to stay out of their home for the night.
Detective Inspector Anthony Kelly said had the weapon been fired "it could have killed or permanently injured anyone in the local area, whether young children heading to and from school, those heading to and from their place of worship, people going about their daily business, and police officers helping their community.
"Bullets from these types of weapons can travel a considerable distance and no one knows where they will stop or how accurate they might be.
"It was left in a place where there is every possibility that anyone could have picked it up and used it without knowing the potential devastating consequences for themselves, their friends or others.
"As a result of this device, significant disruption was caused to residents in the local area as well as motorists.
"Families were evacuated from their homes, at very short notice, overnight, a primary school was closed and a number of roads were closed until the police operation came to a safe conclusion. Police were left with no alternative option in the circumstances and these decisions are not taken lightly as we know the consequences that they have.
"I would like to thank everyone again for their patience during the police operation and ask that if anyone has information which could help find those responsible to contact the police.
"This was a reckless act. The overwhelming number of people in the community do not want this type of activity and we will continue to work to bring those responsible before the courts".
