Times Square bomb probe turns to Pakistan
The investigation into the attempted bombing in New York's Times Square is turning to Pakistan, where an army official is dismissing claims that the Pakistani Taliban were behind the failed attack.
In a video message released a day after Saturday night's failed bombing, the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the failed attack.
U.S. officials dismissed the claim, saying there was no evidence the group was involved. But the arrest of Faisal Shahzad, a 30-year-old Pakistani-American who has allegedly confessed to receiving bomb training in Pakistan, raised new questions about possible Taliban ties.
Shahzad, who was arrested Monday, has been charged with five counts,
including attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction. He was expected to appear in court Tuesday, but the hearing was delayed.
Authorities said he is co-operating with investigators, but noted that the investigation is ongoing.
Shahzad, who had recently returned to the U.S. from a five-month trip to Pakistan, was arrested at JFK International Airport in New York on Monday aboard a plane about to take off to Dubai,United Arab Emirates.
Pistole said Tuesday that Shahzad was put on a no-fly list just hours before he was arrested.Emirates airlines didn't initially notice when Shahzad bought a ticket that he had been placed on the no-fly list, according to a law enforcement official.
Customs officials with recognizing Shahzad's name on a passenger manifest and stopping the flight, allowing agents to arrest him before the plane took off.
The investigation began Saturday when a 1993 Nissan Pathfinder sport utility vehicle was found in Times Square.
Investigators found in the SUV three propane tanks, a pair of full 19-litre gasoline containers and two clocks with batteries, electrical wire and other components. The clocks were said to have been connected to a can filled with fireworks, which were apparently meant to ignite the gasoline and, ultimately, the propane.
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