LONDON Dissident Irish Republicans were blamed Friday for a car bomb in west London that injured six people, underscoring the race to find a resolution to the crisis gripping the Northern Ireland peace process.

According to AFP, police chiefs described it as "a completely reckless terrorist attack" that had clearly been intended "to kill or maim."

They appealed for Londoners to be extra vigilant against a repeat.

Officers combed the scene, still cordoned off, looking for clues about the origins of the bomb and forensic evidence from the car, a grey Saab turbo.

The device exploded a few seconds after midnight (2300 GMT) near a pub and underground railway station in the crowded center of suburban Ealing.

Witnesses described a huge bang, a roll of flame, and then a shock wave and showers of glass and debris.

Four people were admitted to hospital for shrapnel injuries and two others treated and later released. A policewoman was also slightly hurt, but did not need treatment.

Alan Fry, head of the metropolitan police's anti-terrorist wing, blamed the incident on the real IRA, which opposes Northern Ireland's peace process.

The group, which split from the mainstream Irish Republican Army four years ago, has carried out a series of attacks at critical moments, particularly on mainland Britain where bombings have huge public impact.

Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid said the blast was a clear attempt to derail the peace process.

Sinn Fein Chief Whip Alex Maskey said: "It simply reaffirms that there is a small micro-republican organization which is opposed to the peace process and that is, of course, nothing new."

the process is facing a critical time after Britain and Ireland unveiled a make-or-break package Wednesday to rescue it from collapse.

Political leaders in the province have until Monday to respond to the deal, which is aimed at breaking the impasse over disarmament, policing and British demilitarization that could bring down the power-sharing Belfast government.

Prime Minister Tony Blair was informed of the attack while on his official visit to Mexico.