Sayfullo Saipov, an Uzbek immigrant accused of killing eight people in an ISIS-inspired assault on the New York City, was today charged with terrorism offences by US prosecutors who said he decided to carry out the truck attack "to inflict maximum damage against civilians".


Saipov, 29, was charged with providing material support to the Islamic State (ISIS) militant group and violence and destruction of motor vehicles.


Eight people were killed and 11 others injured as his truck carved a path of destruction through several blocks of Lower Manhattan yesterday.


Saipov crashed the truck into a school bus, left the vehicle brandishing imitation firearms. He was shot by police.


It was the the worst terrorist attack in on the city since 9/11. Saipov underwent a surgery in a New York hospital yesterday. He appeared in federal court today in a wheelchair and did not enter a plea.


A 10-page complaint was filed by the FBI before a federal court in New York against him. The FBI said that Saipov, a resident of New Jersey, was inspired by the ISIS to carry out the terrorist attack.


He "requested to display ISIS's flag" in his hospital room and stated that he felt good about what he had done, the complaint said. Saipov told investigators he was inspired by Islamic State videos, in particular one showing ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, it said.


The suspect decided to conduct a truck attack "to inflict maximum damage against civilians" and that he specifically chose to strike on Halloween "because he believed there would be more civilians on the street for the holiday," the complaint says. He began planning an attack a year ago and decided two months ago to use a truck, officials said. -- PTI