On Sunday, December 14, 16 people, including a 10-year-old girl, were killed in a shooting attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, where hundreds had gathered to celebrate the beginning of Hanukkah. Australian police have found that the two gunmen, father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram, had travelled to the Philippines a month before the shooting, reportedly for “military-style training,” according to an anonymous Australian counter-terror official.
Sajid was among the casualties. Reuters also reports that at least 40 more, including two police officers and Naveed, were injured.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said that it is verifying information related to the gunmen’s visit to the Philippines in November. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed that the two arrived in the country from Sydney on November 1, with Sajid registered as an Indian national and Naveed registered as an Australian national. According to BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval, they listed Davao as their final destination and left the Philippines on a connecting flight from Davao to Manila on November 28.
Authorities continue to investigate Naveed’s alleged ties to an international jihadist network. At a press conference, Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said, “Early indications point to a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State, allegedly committed by a father and son.”
She added, “These are the alleged actions of those who have aligned themselves with a terrorist organisation, not a religion.”
