(Adnkronos) – Australian counter-terrorism investigators are examining the links of the Sydney attackers with the Islamic State after authorities determined that the Bondi Beach killers had pledged allegiance to Isis and that a flag would have been found in their vehicle, according to Abc News Australia. New South Wales authorities reported that at least 16 people were killed, including one assailant, and over 40 were injured, in the attack that occurred yesterday near Bondi Beach in Sydney, during a Jewish community gathering.
Abc News Australia reported that Joint Counter Terrorism Team investigators believe the two attackers pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. A senior counter-terrorism official told the broadcaster that an Isis flag was found inside the suspects’ car at the scene. According to the newspaper, Australia’s domestic intelligence agency, Asio, investigated one of the attackers, 24-year-old Naveed Akram, about six years ago for alleged links to an Islamic State-linked cell based in Sydney.
Police confirmed that improvised explosive devices, described as active but rudimentary, were found at the scene. Authorities stated that they are not looking for other suspects and that investigations into possible motives are still ongoing.
