Terror attack in New York: Footage shows the moment pipe bomb malfunctions and explodes prematurely, injuring ISIS-inspired Bangladeshi, 27, wearing a suicide vest

  • A pipe bomb went off in an underground tunnel linking the Times Square subway station and the Port Authority bus terminal  Monday morning  
  • Police have taken one man into custody, who was wearing the homemade explosive  
  • The suspect has been identified as 27-year-old Bangladeshi national Akayed Ullah, who has been living in the U.S. for seven years  
  • Former NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton said the suspect 'supposedly was setting the device off in the name of ISIS' and that it was 'definitely a terrorist attack, definitely intended'
  • CNN reports that the bomb detonated prematurely and that if it had gone off as intended the damage could have been catastrophic 
  • The FDNY says three other people reported to local hospitals for minor injuries like ringing in the ears and headaches
  • The incident happened just days after President Trump sparked demonstrations across the world by recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital city 
  • One of the largest demonstrations took place in Muslim-majority Bangladesh
A Bangladeshi national in his 20s has been taken into custody with serious injuries after a suspected pipe bomb he was carrying malfunctioned and exploded prematurely inside a Midtown Manhattan subway station Monday morning. 
It was the second time in two months that New York City was the target of a terrorist attack, and the first on U.S. soil since President Trump last week sparked Muslim outrage around the world by identifying Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
The explosion happened around 7:20am, in an underground tunnel linking the Port Authority Bus Terminal to Times Square. The underground tunnel is a major thoroughfare for workers during the morning rush hour.
The suspect, identified as 27-year-old Akayed Ullah, was found injured at the scene and rushed to Bellevue Hospital to be treated for serious burns and cuts. He was wearing a 'low-tech' explosive device attached to his body with Velcro and zip ties.
Three other people also reported to local hospitals for minor injuries like ringing in the ears and headaches. 
Law enforcement sources who spoke to the New York Post says Ullah is speaking to investigators at the hospital, and says he carried out the attack in revenge for his people. 
'They’ve been bombing in my country and I wanted to do damage here,' Ullah said, according to the sources. 
It's unclear what bombing Ullah was referring to, since the Bangladesh is one of the U.S.'s largest allies in southeast Asia.  
There have also been reports that Ullah - a former taxi driver - was inspired by ISIS.  
Scroll down for video 
A suspect has been taken into custody after an explosion at the Port Authority subway station in New York City Monday morning. The suspect has been identified as 27-year-old Bangladeshi national Akayed Ullah
A suspect has been taken into custody after an explosion at the Port Authority subway station in New York City Monday morning. The suspect has been identified as 27-year-old Bangladeshi national Akayed Ullah
The bomber is seen above lying on the ground in the transit tunnel seconds after badly burning himself by detonating his homemade pipe bomb
The bomber is seen above lying on the ground in the transit tunnel seconds after badly burning himself by detonating his homemade pipe bomb
The bomber is pictured being stretchered into an ambulance by a scrum of police and firefighters
The bomber is pictured being stretchered into an ambulance by a scrum of police and firefighters
'Moment pipe bomb malfunctions': CCTV shows moment of explosion

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Video from inside the tunnel purports to show the moment the explosion occurred (center) and the injured suspect (right) lying on the ground. He survived and was taken to Bellevue Hospital with a police escort shortly afterwards
Firefighters, police officers and FBI agents converged on the area of the attack near Times Square 
Firefighters, police officers and FBI agents converged on the area of the attack near Times Square 
Port Authority remained entirely closed off on Monday morning at 9am. Above, the entrance at 8th Avenue and 41st Street
Port Authority remained entirely closed off on Monday morning at 9am. Above, the entrance at 8th Avenue and 41st Street
Armed NYPD officers at the scene on Monday morning await instruction after the suspect was taken away 
Armed NYPD officers at the scene on Monday morning await instruction after the suspect was taken away 
Cops run through Port Authority after 'pipe bomb explodes'

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Pictured above is the ID photo the suspect was carrying around with him at the time 
Law enforcement officials told the Associated Press that Ullah was inspired by the group, but not in direct contact with them. 
So far, officials believe that Ullah carried out the attack as a 'lone wolf'. 
Former NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton told MSNBC's Morning Joe that the suspect 'supposedly was setting the device off in the name of ISIS' and that it was 'definitely a terrorist attack, definitely intended'. 
At a morning press conference, current NYPD Commission James O'Neill said that the suspect 'did make statements' but that they are not going to comment on them yet. 
Though it's still early in the investigation, New York City officials say it was definitely an attempted terror attack. 
'This was an attempted terror attack and thank God the perpetrator did not achieve his ultimate goals,' Mayor Bill de Blasio said.
CNN reports that it appears the Subway was not the intended target of the pipe bomb, and that it may have went off prematurely. 
They also learned that the device was homemade and could have caused catastrophic damage if it went off as intended. 
Commissioner O'Neill said that they have obtained CCTV footage of the attack, but they have not detailed yet what it shows.  
Above, an aerial view of the suspect's home on Monday morning in Flatlands, Brooklyn 
Above, an aerial view of the suspect's home on Monday morning in Flatlands, Brooklyn 
Police were seen speaking to residents at the home on the porch Monday morning 
Police were seen speaking to residents at the home on the porch Monday morning 
As the bomber's ID was released police and reporters descended on the home in Brooklyn where he is believed to live
As the bomber's ID was released police and reporters descended on the home in Brooklyn where he is believed to live
Firefighters are seen at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue on Monday morning after an explosion in the Port Authority bus terminal transit tunnel 
Firefighters are seen at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue on Monday morning after an explosion in the Port Authority bus terminal transit tunnel 
An NYPD police officer stands in front of gathered firefighters outside the Port Authority terminal as commuters walk around them 
An NYPD police officer stands in front of gathered firefighters outside the Port Authority terminal as commuters walk around them 
Panicked commuters piled on to escalators to get out of the station after the explosion which occurred just after 7:20am
Panicked commuters piled on to escalators to get out of the station after the explosion which occurred just after 7:20am
An NYPD van parked outside the Port Authority entrance at 8th Avenue and 41st Street on Monday morning 
An NYPD van parked outside the Port Authority entrance at 8th Avenue and 41st Street on Monday morning 
The scene near the Port Authority Bus Terminal on Monday morning as police and firefighters worked amongst commuters
The scene near the Port Authority Bus Terminal on Monday morning as police and firefighters worked amongst commuters
An area of several blocks was in lockdown immediately after the incident, sparking commuter chaos and confusion among others trying to navigate the busy Manhattan streets 
An area of several blocks was in lockdown immediately after the incident, sparking commuter chaos and confusion among others trying to navigate the busy Manhattan streets 
An ambulance near the scene of the explosion on Monday morning. Four people were injured, including the suspect
An ambulance near the scene of the explosion on Monday morning. Four people were injured, including the suspect
Bill DeBlasio says 'This was an attempted terrorist attack'

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The Port Authority Bus Terminal is the largest in the country and the busiest in the world - serving about 225,000 commuters a day. 
It's what's known by law enforcement officials as a 'soft target' because it handles a lot of traffic but doesn't have the same kind of security as a place like an airport. 
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said a bombing in the subway is 'one of our worst nightmares' - but he said New Yorkers will get through this as they have before on 9/11 and even the most recent terror attack on Halloween
This is the New York. The reality is we are the target by many who would like to make a statement against democracy and against freedom. We have the Statue of Liberty in our harbor and that makes us an international target. 
'We understand that anyone can go on the internet and download garbage and vileness on how to put together an amateur-level explosive device and that is the reality that we live with. 
'The counter reality is that this is New York and we all pitch together and we are a savvy people and we keep our eyes open and that's what 'see something, say something' is all about. And we have the best law enforcement on the globe and we're all working together extraordinarily well,' Gov. Cuomo said.  
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and the city's Mayor Bill De Blasio gave a press conference at around 9.30am to say there was no outstanding threat 
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and the city's Mayor Bill De Blasio gave a press conference at around 9.30am to say there was no outstanding threat 
A fire fighter grabs equipment from his trunk at the scene of the explosion on Monday morning 
A fire fighter grabs equipment from his trunk at the scene of the explosion on Monday morning 
The subway at Port Authority was closed for several hours after the incident. The bus terminal has since reopened 
The subway at Port Authority was closed for several hours after the incident. The bus terminal has since reopened 
Not long after the explosion and despite a large police presence, tourists took photographs on 8th Avenue which was uncharacteristically free from traffic because of the incident
Not long after the explosion and despite a large police presence, tourists took photographs on 8th Avenue which was uncharacteristically free from traffic because of the incident
An armed officer stands at the corner of West 42nd Street between police vans and cars 
An armed officer stands at the corner of West 42nd Street between police vans and cars 
A street vendor tows their food cart away from the scene as foot fall decreases because of the attack 
A street vendor tows their food cart away from the scene as foot fall decreases because of the attack 
A strong police presence remained at the scene in the hours after the incident. The Port Authority terminal was reopened at around 9.30am, two hours after the blast 
A strong police presence remained at the scene in the hours after the incident. The Port Authority terminal was reopened at around 9.30am, two hours after the blast 
Social worker Michael, 35, was commuting from New Jersey to Brooklyn when the chaos unfolded.
He said: 'There were people running from various angles and screaming that someone had a gun. People were saying 'just run, just go'. Everyone was looking around confused.

POLICE ASK FOR PUBLIC'S HELP 

Anyone with information on suspect Akayed Ullah is being asked to call the terror hotline at 888-NYC-SAFE 
'After a few minutes I think I heard another person say there was an explosion and that's when people started to panic. There was a lot of chaotic shouting and screaming. I saw a guy spring past me and as people scattered the crowd began to hurry more and push through the doors.
'There are escalators that lead outside and steps and people were running up to get outside. We are talking 50 or 60 people. People were running over each other at one point. It became like a domino effect as everyone tried to run through the doors.
'We got out and I ran across the street to 41st. I could hear sirens going off and people were grabbing their phones and calling home. Everyone was quite panicked and shook up.'
He added: 'It's scary. I'm quite on edge now.'  
Dozens of fire fighters flocked to the explosion site. They were matched in numbers by NYPD officers 
Dozens of fire fighters flocked to the explosion site. They were matched in numbers by NYPD officers 
Commuters were still rushing out of the station shortly after 8am. The explosion was reported at 7.20am 
Commuters were still rushing out of the station shortly after 8am. The explosion was reported at 7.20am 
The Port Authority Bus Terminal is the busiest in the world in terms of traffic. About 225,000 people use it daily  
The Port Authority Bus Terminal is the busiest in the world in terms of traffic. About 225,000 people use it daily  
NYPD investigates a possible explosion at a bus terminal

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FDNY and NYPD respond to reports of an explosion at Port Authority

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Video from above the 'Crossroads of the World' showed lines of police and emergency vehicles, their lights flashing, lining the streets and no other vehicle traffic moving.
Everything around the Port Authority in the 42nd Street area was shut down while police investigated the bombing - a surreal scene of what would ordinarily be a bustling rush hour. 
A spokesman for the Port Authority say they plan to have the transit hub up and running fully by the evening rush hour. 
Mayor De Blasio said getting transportation up and running again was an important message to the failed terrorist. 
'We're not going to allow them to disrupt us. That is exactly what they what and that is exactly what they are not going to get,' he said.  
An armored police vehicle at the Port Authority bus terminal on Monday morning after the attack
An armored police vehicle at the Port Authority bus terminal on Monday morning after the attack
The scene on Monday morning as NYPD officers and fire fighters continued to work at the scene 
The scene on Monday morning as NYPD officers and fire fighters continued to work at the scene 
Port Authority Police were also on hand in addition to NYPD officers. They ushered commuters out of the Port Authority Bus Terminal building 
Port Authority Police were also on hand in addition to NYPD officers. They ushered commuters out of the Port Authority Bus Terminal building 
Commuters marched out onto 8th Avenue shortly before 8am. They came off buses which were already on their way when the explosion occurred
Commuters marched out onto 8th Avenue shortly before 8am. They came off buses which were already on their way when the explosion occurred
While the suspect's motivation has not been established yet, his alleged statements about ISIS and Bangladeshi background suggest he was motivated by extreme religion. 
The attack also comes on the heels of a Muslim day of rage in Dhaka, Bangladesh's capital, last week where thousands of Muslims protested over President Trump's declaration of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. 
The decision - which breaks with decades of tradition in international policy - has drawn widespread criticism from Muslims and Christians around the world.
Previous presidents have refrained from such direct involvement in the Middle East's historic conflict but Trump proudly waded in. Moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem was a campaign promise which he now boasts about fulfilling. 
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders tweeted Monday morning that the president had been briefed on the situation. 
Monday's explosion also comes a month after Sayfullo Saipov plowed through cyclists on the a cycle path in Tribeca.
The Uzbek national killed eight people in his rented Home Depot truck by mowing them down before crashing into a school bus. He injured another 12.
Saipov, 29, who was living in Paterson, New Jersey, was gunned down by a police officer and remains in custody. 
After the attack, the dollar lowered but stock markets recovered when the situation had been contained.
The S&P 500, Dow Jones and Nasdaq indexes rose 0.1 to 0.3 percent when the main U.S. stock markets opened two and a half hours later.
The dollar slipped as far as 113.245 yen against the Japanese currency. The Swiss franc, a refuge at times of heightened risk, reached a high of 1.16755 francs per euro. .
'We did see equities futures moving lower and it is not a surprise that we saw a move in crosses like dollar-yen,' said CIBC's head of currency strategy Jeremy Stretch. 'There is a susceptibility, whenever there is a degree of uncertainty, for the usual suspects to react.' 
The suspect is a Bangladeshi national who has been in the US for seven years, according to police sources. There were angry protests in Dhaka, Bangladesh's capital, last week over the president's decision to name Jerusalem the capital of Israel
The suspect is a Bangladeshi national who has been in the US for seven years, according to police sources. There were angry protests in Dhaka, Bangladesh's capital, last week over the president's decision to name Jerusalem the capital of Israel
Reports of an 'explosion' causes massive transit delays in NYC


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