Twenty-six terror plots prevented in New York City since 9/11

NEW YORK, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- Approximately 26 plots have been prevented through intelligence investigation in New York City since the 9/11 attacks in 2001, authorities said Monday.

New York City Police Department Deputy Commissioner John Miller made the remarks at a press conference during which authorities gave out preliminary investigation result on a terror-related blast that happened in Manhattan early Monday morning.

When asked why New York City seems to be seeing more frequent occurrence of terror attacks, Miller said authorities have put in enormous effort in preventing a significant number of plots and attacks.

He also mentioned the 26 plots that have been prevented were those "we can talk about."

"This is a fact of life...It can happen anywhere," said Miller.

Four people were injured when an improvised, low-tech device exploded in a passageway near Times Square at 7:20 a.m. on Monday. Police have identified the suspect as 27-year-old male named Akayed Ullah and have kept him in custody.

Other major terror attacks and plots recorded in this bustling metropolis since 9/11 attacks include:

-- On May 1, 2010, a crude self-made car bomb was discovered in the heart of New York City's Times Square as suspicious smoke came out of the roadside-parked vehicle. The bomb failed to explode, but thousands were forced to evacuate.

-- On Sept. 17, 2016, a homemade pressure cooker bomb went off in the Chelsea area of Manhattan, wounding 29 people.

-- On Oct. 31, 2017, eight people were killed and a dozen more injured after a truck plowed into pedestrians near the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan of New York. Enditem