UPDATE 4 - Suspect in custody after NY 'terrorist attack'

ADDS DETAILS THROUGHOUT

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - A 27-year-old male suspect is in custody after an "attempted terrorist attack" rocked the busy New York Port Authority subway station early Monday, authorities confirm.

The explosion happened in a heavily-trafficked underground walkway in the middle of rush hour.

Police commissioner James O'Neill identified the suspect as Akayed Ullah. He sustained burns and wounds to his body and hands during the attack, and has been transferred to Bellevue Hospital where is receiving medical treatment.

O'Neill said the suspect made statements but declined to elaborate on the nature of the remarks or if he claimed the attack was carried out for Daesh.

But preliminary information indicates the suspect is possibly from Bangladesh and has been living in the U.S. for seven years, according to former New York Police Commissioner Bill Bratton who told MSNBC that Ullah claimed the attack for Daesh.

An unnamed law enforcement source told CNN that Ullah said he carried out the attack because of recent Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip.

The New York Police Department initially said only the suspect was injured, and urged people to avoid 42nd Street and 8th Avenue around the famous Times Square area. The New York Fire Department later updated the casualty toll to include four victims with non-life-threatening injuries.

The victims transported themselves to local hospitals, the fire department confirmed on Twitter.

“This is the most resilient place on Earth,” declared New York Mayor Bill de Blasio. “The terrorists will not win. We’re going to keep being New Yorkers.”

The explosive device used was attached to Ullah's body using velcro and zip ties and was based on a pipe bomb, Deputy Police Commissioner John Miller said.

O'Neill separately described the bomb as an "improvised low-tech device".

Subway service is being restored except at the 42nd Street station, according to Governor Andrew Cuomo, and the Port Authority bus terminal has been reopened.

Police activity is expected to be heightened throughout the city, although officials emphasized there are no other specific credible threats to New York at this time.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said his state's law enforcement officials are coordinating with their federal and New York counterparts, and he directed New Jersey police to step up security at major transportation hubs.