Authorities in Australia have revealed that the Bondi Beach attackers took a trip to the Philippines a month before the attack unfolded on Sunday in which a father-son duo shot dead 15 Jewish community members, while injuring 40 others.
Sajid Akram, in his 50s, was an Indian national who had travelled to the Philippines on an Indian passport, while his son, Naveed Akram, 24, travelled on an Australian passport, border authorities in Manila told reporters on Tuesday.
The authorities believe that the duo had visited the country to receive a “military-style training”, with Australian PM Anthony Albanese saying the attack appears to have been motivated by the “Islamic State ideology”. The attack is being seen as a blowback of Israeli actions and atrocities in the Gaza Strip since its attack on the strip on October 7, 2023.
Police also confirmed they recovered homemade Islamic State group flags and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from the vehicle used by the gunmen.
As per the latest update, 24 survivors remain in hospital – three in critical condition, and another five being critical, but stable. These include three Indian students, according to a media report that appeared on Tuesday.
Two out of these three students are believed to be receiving treatment in the hospital, reported an Australian news portal, although the names of the Indian students injured have not been disclosed yet.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the investigation is expanding as new information emerges, including international travel by the alleged attackers and the discovery of extremist material, the report said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Australia’s recognition and outright support for Palestine of being a cause of the attack, although Canberra has not yet responded to these allegations.
Australia’s PM Albanese has promised to enforce stricter gun measures in the country, and also praised local man, Ahmed Al Ahmad, for risking his life to save many lives by overpowering one of the gunmen.
Meanwhile, mourners continue to gather at a memorial site near Bondi Beach to pay their tributes to the dead.
Also Read: Father and son identified as suspects in Australia shootout
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