Bondi Beach gunmen 'acted alone': Pak-origin father-son duo Naveed, Sajid Akram not part of extremist cell, says Australian PM

Hours after 15 people were killed and over 40 others injured in a deadly shooting at the iconic Bondi Beach, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the gunmen acted alone and were not part of the wider extremist cell.

"There's no evidence of collusion, no evidence that these people were part of a cell," Albanese was quoted as saying by ABC. However, he pointed out that they were "clearly motivated" by extremist ideology.

The attackers, identified as Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24, were father and son. The men with Pakistani roots targeted a Jewish celebration on the first day of Hanukkah.

Police shot dead the father while son sustained injuries. He has been hospitalised. Police recovered IEDs and two Islamic State flags in their car, according to police officials cited by ABC.

Sajid arrived in Australia in 1998 on a student visa, while his son Naveed is an Australian-born citizen. Sajid had a firearms licence for 10 years and owned six guns with no previous red flags.

Albanese said the country is planning tougher gun laws in the wake of the attack. He said he would ask the Cabinet to consider a cap on the number of weapons allowed by a gun licence. Another concern was the perpetual gun licence, with the Australian PM suggesting that the government with also revise its validity.

Joining world leaders in condemning the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "Strongly condemn the ghastly terrorist attack carried out today at Bondi Beach, Australia, targeting people celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah."

"On behalf of the people of India, I extend my sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. We stand in solidarity with the people of Australia in this hour of grief," he added.