FOUR people were injured when a bomb exploded in a New York bus station yesterday.

Police confirmed that they were holding 27-year-old Akayed Ullah, who was wounded when a “low-tech explosive device” strapped to his body went off in an underpass.

Sources claimed Mr Ullah was armed with a five-inch metal pipe bomb and battery pack as he walked through the Manhattan transit hub.

But the bomb went off prematurely, leaving him badly injured. It is believed that Mr Ullah had planned to detonate the device in a subway carriage during the rush hour.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said: “This is New York. The reality is that we are a target by many who would like to make a statement against democracy, against freedom.

“We have the Statue of Liberty in our harbour and that makes us an international target.”

Mayor Bill de Blasio said: “Terrorists won’t win,” adding that he believed Mr Ullah was acting alone.

Police confirmed that none of the injuries was life-threatening.