New York terror bombing 'carried out in retaliation to Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital'
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A terror bombing at New York's main bus terminal was in retaliation for US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital, a pro-ISIS propaganda channel has suggested.
The propaganda channel posted an image of an improvised explosive device photoshopped over a picture of Times Square, with a threatening caption reading: "The recognition of your dog 'Trump' Jerusalem as the capital of Israel will make us recognize explosives as the capital of your country."
The group's claim was reported by Site Intelligence, which monitors terrorist activity and propaganda. Trump's decision last week was met with fury around the world.
The suspect, from Bangladesh, is said to have told investigators "They've been bombing in my country an I wanted to do some damage here", the New York Post reported.
Police have said the suspect and three commuters were injured when the device exploded as millions made their way to work at about 7.30am local time.
The suspect was seen on the floor with his burned midriff exposed after his 'suicide belt detonated too early' in an ISIS-inspired terror attack.
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The image, published by the New York Post but which the Mirror has not independently verified, shows the injured man on the ground with his hands behind his back as police offers stand behind him.
He was arrested after a pipe bomb went off in an underground subway passage between Times Square and the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan, one of the busiest transport hubs in the world.
The suspect has been named locally as Akayed Ullah, 27, a Bangladeshi native who moved to the US seven years ago, it was reported.
There were scenes of chaos as thousands of terrified commuters and tourists fled the city's main bus station in a stampede, with some being trampled as they tried to escape.
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Horrifying video footage appears to show the moment of the explosion just 200ft from the bus terminal at the peak of the morning commute.
The would-be suicide bomber's device was described as "low tech" - he had wires attached to him and a 5in metal pipe bomb and battery pack strapped to his mid-section, it was reported.
The suspect was taken into custody after the bomb "partially detonated", law enforcement sources told the New York Post .
He was taken to Bellevue Hospital and allegedly told investigators that he made the bomb at the electrical company where he works, the newspaper reported.
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It was unclear whether the bomb was deliberately set off in the tunnel at rush hour or if it went off accidentally and a separate location was the intended target.
Sources told the New York Daily News that Port Authority police rushed to the scene of the blast and struggled with the suspect, who still had wires attached to his body.
It was claimed that he tried to set off the rest of the bomb, but only part of it detonated.
Two officers grabbed him and removed the explosives which were attached to his body with Velcro and zip ties, it was reported.
The suspect is said to have suffered burns to his hands and abdomen, and lacerations.
He is expected to survive.
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Local media reported that Ullah arrived in the US seven years ago and his last known address was in Brooklyn.
Stunned witnesses described scenes of chaos as the bomb went off and smoke filled the passageway, sparking a massive rush to escape.
Security guard Christina Bethea, 29, of Yonkers, told the Daily News she heard the blast after getting off a train.
She said: “At the end of the tunnel, we heard the explosion, boom. You could see the smoke coming. When I saw the smoke, I just ran up the stairs.”
Byron Woodhouse, 55, said the sound of the blast was deafening.
He added: "It was loud. It was scary. People were running all over the place.”
Mayor Bill de Blasio told reporters: "This was an attempted terrorist attack.
"Thank God he did not achieve his goal. Thank God the only injuries we know about at this point are minor."