Australian police foiled another terrorist attack plot near Bondi Beach on Thursday evening. New South Wales police arrested seven suspects after receiving intelligence about a potential violent incident. The success of the authorities comes after a recent terrorist attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach targeting a Hanukkah celebration, which killed 16 people and left many others injured on December 14.
According to NSW police, intelligence agencies confirmed a planned attack in the Bondi Beach area on Thursday evening. Following this input, vehicles were searched extensively and weapons and explosive materials were recovered during the operation. The arrested suspects are reported to be residents of Melbourne and Sydney and are believed to be linked to radical Islamic groups.
New South Wales Police issued a statement, saying: “Special tactics officers intercepted two cars after receiving information that a violent act might be planned. At this stage, police have found no link to the ongoing Bondi terror investigation… As inquiries continue, seven men are assisting police with their investigations.”
Bondi Beach attack case
The attack that targeted Jewish people celebrating the first day of Hanukkah, was carried out by a father-son duo. The 50-year-old father (Sajid Akram) was shot dead by police at the scene, while the 24-year-old (Naveed Akram) son was taken to the hospital. Earlier, on Tuesday, Telangana Police stated that Sajid Akram, one of the accused in the Bondi Beach terror attack, was originally from Hyderabad, contrary to earlier reports that had identified the attackers as being of Pakistani origin.
According to Telangana police, Sajid Akram completed his Bachelor of Commerce degree in Hyderabad before migrating to Australia in November 1998 in search of employment. He later married Venera Grosso, a woman of European origin, and settled permanently in Australia. The couple has two children, a son, Naveed Akram, and a daughter. While Sajid holds an Indian passport, both his children were born in Australia and are Australian citizens.
