SYDNEY
\nAustralian authorities are investigating alleged links between the two gunmen involved in yesterday\u2019s deadly shooting near Bondi Beach and the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group, according to local media and counter-terrorism sources.
\nThe attackers have been identified as 50-year-old Sajid Akram, who was killed at the scene, and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram, who remains hospitalized in critical condition.
\nDozens of floral tributes were laid near the site of the attack as shocked residents gathered to mourn the victims.
\nAccording to reports, Sajid Akram arrived in Australia in 1998 on a student visa, which was later converted into a partner visa in 2001 and subsequently into resident return visas. He held a valid firearms licence for recreational hunting and was an active member of a gun club. Naveed Akram, an Australian-born citizen, first came to the attention of authorities in October 2019.
\nHowever, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said at the time an assessment concluded there was \u201cno indication of any ongoing threat or risk of him engaging in violence.\u201d
\nThe Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported that Naveed Akram had been examined over alleged close ties to a Sydney-based Islamic State-linked terrorism cell.
\nABC further reported that counter-terrorism police believe both gunmen had pledged allegiance to the IS terrorist group, a claim now forming a central part of the investigation. Police believe the attackers prepared for the assault at a short-term rental property in Campsie, located about a 30-minute drive from Bondi Beach.
\nThe single-storey property has become a key focus of the ongoing probe. Officers also raided the gunmen\u2019s family home last night, approximately an hour\u2019s drive from the attack site, as part of coordinated counter-terrorism operations. A former neighbour of the family told she was stunned upon seeing the news. \u201cWhen I saw the shooting on television, I thought, \u2018Oh my goodness, it can\u2019t be them,\u2019\u201d she said.
\nAuthorities have tightened security across Sydney while investigations continue. Police say they are examining the attackers\u2019 movements, communications, and possible networks to determine whether others were involved or had prior knowledge of the attack. The incident has once again raised concerns over lone-actor terrorism and radicalization despite prior assessments by security agencies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SYDNEY Australian authorities are investigating alleged links between the two gunmen involved in yesterday\u2019s deadly shooting near Bondi Beach and the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group, according to local media and counter-terrorism sources. The attackers have been identified as 50-year-old Sajid Akram, who was killed at the scene, and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram, who […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-520262","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n