New York bombing suspect Ahmad Khan Rahami 'may have foreign terror links' despite previous information
All 29 people who were injured have since been released from hospital
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The blast in New York city may be related to a foreign terror organisation and could very well be linked to the discovery of explosives at two other locations, officials have revealed.
With security in New York heightened as it prepares to host world leaders at the UN General Assembly, police on Monday revealed the identify of a naturalised citizen from Afghanistan, Ahmad Khan Rahami, for whom they were looking in connection with Saturday night’s attack that left 29 people injured.
Officials had initially said that while the explosion in the Chelsea neighbourhood was an act of terrorism, they did not believe there were foreign links. However, on Monday New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said the latest information he had seen, suggested the need to rethink that assumption.
“Today’s information suggests it may be foreign related, but we’ll see where it goes,” he said on NY1 TV station. "My operating premise is anytime, anywhere, seven days a week you could have an incident like this."
He was speaking soon after investigators named Rahami as a suspect in the Manhattan blast.
Some 29 people were injured when a bomb exploded in a dumpster in the Chelsea neighbourhood of Manhattan on Saturday night.
The jittery city was put further on edge when a second device - made from a pressure cooker - was found streets away.
Five more pipebombs were found early on Monday morning in New Jersey. One exploded when a bomb squad robot tried to disarm it. No-one was injured.
Early on Monday morning, FBI agents swarmed an apartment above a fried chicken restaurant in Elizabeth, New Jersey, that was linked to Rahami.
They evacuated a nearby deli, a beauty salon and a computer-services store as residents tried to take in the news.
Christian Bollwage, mayor of elizabeth, said a father and son who ran a fried chicken restaurant were being questioned.
Meanwhile, the White House said President Barack Obama was kept up to date with developments throughout the night.
He is expected to make a public statement later on Monday.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments