Australian authorities are piecing together the background of the father-son duo responsible for the Bondi Beach shooting, revealing a 27-year-old connection to India. The attack, which killed 15 and injured 42 at a Hanukkah event, was carried out by Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed, 24. Sajid Akram was shot dead by police, while Naveed remains under guard in a hospital.
What Are the Hyderabad Links?
The Telangana Police confirmed Sajid Akram was from Hyderabad, India. He completed a B.Com degree there before migrating to Australia in November 1998 for employment. Sajid still held an Indian passport at the time of the attack. His elder brother, Dr. Sahid Akram, lives in Hyderabad’s Tolichowki area. Upon learning of Sajid’s involvement, Sahid and his family left their home for an undisclosed location.
When Did the Family Last Have Contact?
Sahid Akram told reporters the family had severed ties with Sajid long ago. He stated they were shocked by the incident and had not been in contact for many years. He revealed Sajid did not visit Hyderabad even when their father passed away in 2009 and had not enquired about their ailing, elderly mother. The family claimed they had “no knowledge of his radical mindset or activities.”
What About the Philippines Connection?
A crucial new detail emerged from the Philippines’ Bureau of Immigration. Sajid and Naveed Akram travelled together to Davao, Philippines, in November 2025, returning to Sydney on November 28. Davao is the gateway to the southern Philippines, a region known as a centre for Islamic State activity. Australian officials are investigating the reason for this trip.
What Do Australian Authorities Say?
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated the attackers were motivated by “Islamic State ideology.” Home Minister Tony Burke detailed that Sajid arrived in 1998 on a student visa, later switching to a partner visa. He held resident return visas, allowing him to travel while retaining permanent residence. Foreign Minister Penny Wong briefed India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who conveyed condolences and offered full support.
What Is the Official Indian Stance?
The Telangana Police statement emphasized that the “factors that led to the radicalisation of Sajid Akram and his son Naveed appear to have no connection with India or any local influence in Telangana.” This aims to distance the attacker’s motives from his place of origin, focusing instead on influences he encountered after leaving India nearly three decades ago.
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