NEW YORK _ The Bangladeshi man accused of trying to blow himself up in a subway passage near the Port Authority Bus Terminal Monday morning is a former cabbie who carried out the bungled bombing in the name of the Islamic State, sources said.
NYPD investigators and FBI agents were swarming several neighborhoods in Brooklyn linked to Akayed Ullah, 27.
A source said Ullah told authorities he sought revenge for the U.S. bombing of his country. The U.S., however, is not waging a bombing campaign in Bangladesh, which is considered an ally in South Asia.
Ullah has lived in the U.S. for about seven years, according to officials and neighbors.
He told authorities his attack was in the name of the Islamic State, sources said.
"He did make a statement providing the basis for his motive," the source said.
NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill described Ullah's bomb as "low-tech." It injured the suspect and caused minor injuries to three commuters, officials said.
Ullah had a cabbie's license between March 2012 and March 2015, which he allowed to expire, a Taxi and Limousine Commission spokesman said. The agency was not releasing further information due to the ongoing investigation.
Meanwhile, police closed an entire block of E. 48th St. in Flatlands where investigators believed Ullah lived.
A helicopter hovered over the rows of mostly two-story homes.
Three people _ identified by neighbors as Ullah's mother, father and brother _ were being questioned by police.
Police also swarmed a second home on Ocean Parkway in Ditmas Park possibly linked to Ullah.
Kisslyn Joseph, 19, said she'd moved next door to Ullah's home in Flatlands a month ago.
She said she heard an argument early Sunday morning coming from the family's apartment.
"I heard him pacing early in the morning, around 2:30 a.m. or 3, when the snow was falling," she said. "I could hear somebody on the phone and it was kind of strange. It was the tone of voice and they were swearing."
Ronald Ross, 52, a locksmith who works near the home, said he believed Ullah lived in the neighborhood for about seven years.
Cat Mara, who works at a real estate company on the block, said Ullah kept to himself.
"He's walking, he's staring straight ahead instead of talking to people," Mara, 63, said.
"Not even a hello. He was always by himself. Never seen him with anybody."
One business owner who did not give his name said Ullah came from "a nice family."
Parents of N.J. man killed in bike path terror attack plan to sue
"There's nothing wrong with this guy. He surprised the whole neighborhood with this," the business owner said.
