The family of Akayed Ullah, accused of trying to detonate a pipe bomb in New York on Monday, has engaged the controversial civil activist group CAIR to represent it, and has used its first official statement to attack US law enforcement’s investigation.

The area was packed with commuters and holiday tourists in a city still on edge from a terror attack six weeks ago that claimed eight lives. After the blast, hundreds of commuters fled subway trains and dozens of emergency vehicles swarmed Times Square.

The subway stations were evacuated, and Port Authority Bus Terminal was also shut down.

A 911 caller warned of further explosions after the dumpster blast that hit New York, wounding 29 people, as the governor declared the attack an act of terrorism.