WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The Bangladeshi immigrant who set off a bomb in New York’s subway Monday told investigators that he was avenging attacks on the Islamic State group and chose the location by its Christmas posters, US media reported.

Akayed Ullah, a 27-year-old immigrant from Bangladesh, recalled a Christmas attack in Europe in 2016 and said he was also retaliating for US airstrikes on IS in Syria, law enforcement officials told the New York Times.

The bomb, set off in a crowded subway passage during the morning rush hour, only partially detonated, deeply wounding the bomber himself but only causing slight injuries to three other people.

Ullah was burned on his torso and hands and was taken to hospital where he was said to be in serious condition.

The mention of Christmas as a motive drew comparisons to Europe, where an IS-inspired attacker plowed a truck into a Berlin Christmas market last year, killing 12 people.

US authorities have warned travellers to Europe during the holiday season to beware of possible attacks on popular gathering places and travel hubs.