An ISIS-inspired Bangladeshi-origin man, wearing a homemade device, triggered a blast at a metro station in New York City during the morning rush hours, injuring four persons and causing chaos in one of the busiest commuter hubs in the metropolis, officials said. Akayed Ullah, the 27-year-old suspected bomber, had wires and a pipe bomb strapped to his body. The device prematurely exploded between two subway platforms near Port Authority, which is America’s largest bus terminal, police said. The suspect was taken into custody after the device partially exploded. The subway station was evacuated and Port Authority terminal was shut down.
Ullah was alone, the police said, adding that the explosion was recorded on surveillance video. No group has claimed responsibility for the explosion so far, though it was being treated as terror-related. “This was an attempted terrorist attack. Thank God he did not achieve his goal,” Mayor Bill de Blasio told reporters. “At this point in time, all we know of is one individual who, thank God, was unsuccessful in his aims,” Blasio said. “There are also no specific threats against New York City at this time. But we will give you more information as the investigation unfolds,” he said.
