New Delhi :
Three people were injured after a pipe bomb was triggered in an underground subway passage between Times Square and Port Authority Bus Terminal at Manhattan in United States on Monday.
US officials are calling it a terrorist attack. New York Police Department (NYPD) officials have arrested a Bangladeshi national in connection to explosion.
The arrested has been identified as 27-year-old Akayed Ullah, a Bangladeshi native. Officials said Ullah was injured while detonating the explosive in the underground subway passage.
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New York mayor Bill De Blasio termed the explosion as a terror attack. He said, “This was an attempted terrorist attack. Thank God the perpetrator did not achieve his ultimate goals.â€
Let's be clear – this was an attempted terrorist attack. Thank God the perpetrator did not achieve his ultimate goals. Our first responders were there quickly and the only injuries we know of right now are minor.
— Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) December 11, 2017
The NYPD on its official twitter handle confirmed the incident and said no injuries have been reported. The Police has requested all commuters to avoid the area.
The NYPD added that they have cleared out A,C and E subway lines that sit beneath the building. According to reports, the US police has taken a man into custody, who they believe was carrying an explosive material that went off.
Update regarding explosion at 42nd St and 8th Ave, in subway: One male suspect is in custody. No injuries other than suspect at this time. Avoid the area. Subways bypassing #PortAuthority and Times Square Stations. Info is preliminary. pic.twitter.com/bEAdjq8mYc
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 11, 2017
Soon after the reported explosion, several blocks of the Eighth Ave. were shut down as emergency responders took their position on the street.
According to reports the blast shuttered the 1,2 and 3 subway lined and locked down the area around the bus depot near Eighth and Ninth Aves.
One Keith Woodfin soon after the explosion tweeted, “I was exiting the Port Authority and the National Guard was running towards something shouting ‘Go, Fo., Go.â€
I was exiting the Port Authority and the National Guard was running towards something shouting “Go, Go, Goâ€
— Keith Woodfin (@hkdallas) December 11, 2017
No terrorist organisation has yet claimed the incident.
