From IS Link To Philippines Trip - Bondi Beach Terror Attack Plot Deepens: Pakistani Gunman Naveed Akram Was On Police Radar Since 2019

A day after a deadly terror attack during Hanukkah celebration at Australia's Bondi Beach left 16 people dead and over 40 injured, investigating agencies recovered arms and ammunition from the residence of the shooter, Naveed Akram and detected a third IED (improvised explosive device) at the Bondi Beach crime scene. 

What Happened At Bondi Beach?

The mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach took place on Sunday evening during celebrations marking the first night of Hanukkah. Two gunmen opened fire targeting the crowd, killing at least 16 people on the spot and injuring dozens.
Police shot dead the 50-year-old father shooter, Sajid Akram, at the scene, while his 24-year-old son, identified as Naveed Akram, was arrested and is currently in critical condition at the hospital. The Australian government have officially declared the incident a terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community and the authorities have started carrying out raids at the residences of the close associates of the shooters.

A witness told the investigators, “They were shooting continuously, and nobody fired back. People were frozen. Police officers were at Bondi Beach and did not react for at least 20 minutes, even as the terrorists kept shooting and reloading their weapons.”

Pakistan ISIS Link Emerges

As per the investigation so far, it has been confirmed that shooter Naveed Akram is originally from Lahore, Pakistan. Reports claimed Akram was living in Bonnyrigg, Sydney, and his driver’s licence, which surfaced after the attack, showed him wearing a Pakistan cricket jersey. Australian investigative agencies are also probing the possible role of Pakistan-based terror groups behind the planning of the Bondi Beach shooting. Concerns were also raised that a bigger-scale attack was being planned.

The father-son shooter duo had joined ISIS before the attack. The suspect, Naveed Akram, was known to the local police and had been on a watchlist since 2019 due to his suspected allegiance to the Islamic State terrorist group. Although police confirmed he was ‘known’, they did not classify him as an ‘immediate threat’ before the incident.

Intelligence agencies revealed that Naveed Akram came under police radar six years back in connection with a Sydney-based Islamic State cell. During a search for explosives in the car which the shooters used to travel to the beach, police later recovered a black and white IS flag. 

The latest information also revealed that before orchestrating the mass shooting at Bondi Beach, both shooters spent a month in the Philippines, one of the world’s top extremist hotspots. As per sources, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed Akram had visited the Southeast Asian country together, without any other family members. Both of them returned to Australia just weeks before they opened fire on the Jewish gathering of roughly 1,000 people.

Arms, IEDs Recovered From Crime Scene

A joint counter-terrorism team has launched a full-scale probe into the Bondi Beach terror attack. From the crime scene, police recovered three firearms and two IEDs, and on Monday, a third IED was found at the Bondi Beach attack site.
Searches were conducted at the homes of Naveed Akram and Sajid Akram in Bonnyrigg and Campsie. Investigators confirmed that two firearms were recovered from their residence.

Bystander’s Brave Act: National and Global Response

A Sydney resident, 43-year-old Ahmed al Ahmed, is recovering after undergoing surgery for gunshot wounds to his arm and hand. He was identified as the bystander who showed immense bravery and charged at one of the gunmen, wrestled away his rifle, and knocked him to the ground.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese convened a National Cabinet meeting, condemning the attack as an act of terror and antisemitism. “We stand with Jewish Australians and we stand against hatred and violence. Australia is stronger than those who try to divide us, and we will come through this together,” Albanese said, adding that the government would consider tougher gun laws, including stricter licensing rules.

Cricket Australia (CA) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) paid tribute to the victims, expressing solidarity with the Jewish community and the Australian people. Australian captain Pat Cummins said he was ‘absolutely devastated’ and urged people to donate blood, while offspinner Nathan Lyon called it a ‘horrific day for everyone involved’. 

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and conveyed his condolences and offered India’s full support. PM Modi too strongly condemned the attack. “Strongly condemn the ghastly terrorist attack carried out today at Bondi Beach, Australia, targeting people celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah,” he wrote on X.

Also Read: Bondi Beach 'Hero': Who Is the Syrian Fruit Seller that Disarmed Gunman?