Australia's Bondi shooting gunmen entered Philippines as Indian nationals days ahead of attack? What we know

The Australian police has made a major breakthrough in the Bondi beach attack, in which 15 people were killed and 40 were injured. The police on Tuesday (Dec 16) said that the gunmen — Sajid Akram and Naveed Akram — had travelled to the Philippines last month and the purpose of the trip is under investigation. Philippine immigration authorities said that the father and son visited the country in November and traveled on Indian passports, news agency Bloomberg reported. Authorities also revealed that at least two Islamic State flags were found in the attacker's car. It added that the vehicle, which is registered to the younger male's name, contained improvised explosive devices.

Naveed Akram was apprehended at the scene and taken to the hospital, Sajid Akram was killed during the shooting. The gunmen attacked Jewish festival Hanukkah event at Sydney's Bondi Beach. The incident is being investigated as an act of terrorism targeting the Jewish community. Earlier, ABC News reported that Australia’s domestic intelligence agency, ASIO, investigated Naveed Akram over his close ties to a Sydney-based Islamic State (IS) terrorism cell, about six years ago. Reuters reported that Islamic state-linked networks are known to operate in the Philippines.

"Early indications point to a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State, allegedly committed by a father and son," Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said at a news conference. “These are the alleged actions of those who have aligned themselves with a terrorist organisation, not a religion.”

Meanwhile, Australian hero Ahmed al Ahmed, hailed for confronting the Bondi Beach gunmen singlehandedly, issued his first statement, hailing God. His father, Mohamed Fateh al Ahmed, told state broadcaster ABC News in an interview, that his son is a hero. IN a video that went viral after the attack, Ahmed was seen sprinting through the parked vehicles and grabbing the attacker from behind. He was successful in chasing one of the gunman away, while sustaining bullet injuries.