POLICE said a bomb had been found during a security alert in the outskirts of west Belfast.
The operation was sparked this morning after a suspicious object was discovered in the Old Colin area.
It is understood the device was found in an alleyway at around 7.30am.
The army bomb squad were called to the scene to examine the object.
A number of roads were closed for several hours during the security alert, including parts of the Pantridge Road, Stewartstown Road and Upper Dunmurry Lane as police advised motorists and members of the public to avoid the area.
At around 4pm police said the alert had ended and a bomb had been found.
"ATO attended the scene and have declared the device as viable," a PSNI spokeswoman said.
"Detectives at the terrorist investigation unit would appeal to anyone who has information that could help with the police investigation to contact police."
Earlier yesterday, Sinn Féin councillor Stephen Magennis said the alert had caused major disruption for residents, particularly in the Poleglass, Twinbrook and Lagmore areas.
"This has caused major disruption and inconvenience for the local community this morning particularly for those people travelling to work and school," he said.
Meanwhile, police last night also said a security alert in Co Fermanagh was an "elaborate hoax".
The PSNI were called to the Wattlebridge Road in Newtownbutler on Sunday afternoon after a suspicious object was found.
