Bondi shooting: NSW Police confirm two homemade ISIS flags found in Naveed Akram’s car

NSW Police have confirmed that ISIS flags and homemade bombs were found in a car registered to one of the Bondi shooters.

At a tense press conference on Tuesday, NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon confirmed that two homemade ISIS flags were found in the car of 24-year-old Naveed Akram.

He and his father Sajid Akram, 50, allegedly opened fire on innocent people celebrating the first day of Hanukkah at Bondi, killing 15 and injuring scores more.

Mr Lanyon confirmed reports that homemade bombs and ISIS flags had been found in the 24-year-old’s car.

“I also confirmed that the vehicle which is registered to the younger male contained IEDs - but I also confirmed that it contained two homemade ISIS flags,” Mr Lanyon said.

He said police are still working through the motive of this tragedy.

“I think it’s really important that our investigators continue to be given time to do that. This is a very complex investigation, and important that we do it thoroughly,” he said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also spoke at the press conference and said that “there is evidence that this was inspired by a terrorist organisation, by ISIS”.

“ISIS has created an evil ideology that has been called out, not just by the Australian Government by globally also,” the PM said.

The flags found in Mr Akram’s car have been seized as part of the investigation.

AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett also confirmed the ISIS connection.

“Early indications point to an attack inspired by Islamic State, allegedly committed by a father and son,” Ms Barrett said.

“There is no evidence to suggest other individuals were involved in the attack, however we caution that this could change given it is early in our investigation.”

The New South Wales joint counter-terrorism team is continuing to review the material seized during search warrants.

During the press conference, NSW Premier Chris Minns also hit back at questions suggesting police had frozen in the line of duty as the Bondi attack unfolded.

“There are two officers in critical care in New South Wales hospitals at the moment. They weren’t shot in the back as they were running away. They were shot in the front,” he said.

“I’m sorry to be graphic about it but if there is any suggestion that New South Wales police didn’t live up to their responsibilities to the people of this state it should be rejected because it is not consistent with the facts.

“New South Wales police officers, some of whom had been in the job for a number of months, put their lives on the line to save people in this state and I think this rush to conclusions before all the facts are known, in my view, is disrespectful to their actions on Sunday.”