Bondi Beach attacker from Hyderabad; Police say not radicalised here
Police identified the gunmen as Sajid Akram, 50, originally from Hyderabad, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, an Australian citizen. Investigators said the pair were inspired by ISIS ideology and opened fire on the crowd around 18.42 local time.
Sajid Akram was shot dead at the scene after a prolonged exchange of gunfire with police. Naveed Akram, who was critically injured, has regained consciousness and could face criminal charges depending on his medical condition, New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said.
Attack unfolded over several minutes
Witness videos circulating on social media show two gunmen firing from a footbridge overlooking a park near the beach. One attacker remained on the bridge while the other moved closer to the crowd.
About three minutes into the attack, a bystander, identified as Ahmed-al-Ahmed, 43, tackled the gunman who had moved towards the crowd and briefly disarmed him before retreating. Ahmed sustained multiple gunshot wounds and is undergoing treatment after surgery.
Police engaged the attackers shortly afterwards. Video footage shows one gunman being shot from behind around four-and-a-half minutes into the attack, while the second continued firing before turning towards police and collapsing after being shot multiple times.
Background of the attackers
According to Indian and Australian officials, Sajid Akram migrated to Australia in November 1998 on a student visa after completing a BCom degree in Hyderabad. He later married Venera Grosso, a woman of European origin, and settled permanently in Australia. He retained his Indian passport.
His son Naveed and daughter were born in Australia and are Australian citizens. Officials said Sajid had limited contact with his family in Hyderabad over the past 27 years and visited India on a few occasions for family and property-related matters. He did not return to India after his father’s death.
Indian government officials said Sajid last visited Hyderabad in 2022. Telangana Police confirmed there is no adverse record against him during his stay in India before 1998.
Family members in Hyderabad told media outlets they were shocked by the incident and had not been in touch with Sajid for many years. A brother said the family had cut ties after Sajid married outside the faith and that he had not enquired about their elderly, ailing mother.
No India link to radicalisation: officials
Indian authorities said a preliminary probe has not found any local links in India to the radicalisation of Sajid Akram or his son. “The factors that led to their radicalisation appear to have no connection with India or any local influence in Telangana,” officials said.
Telangana Police said they are cooperating with central agencies and international counterparts and urged the public and media to avoid speculation or attribution without verified facts.
Philippines travel under scanner
Australian police confirmed that Sajid and Naveed Akram travelled to the Philippines last month, staying for 28 days. Philippine immigration authorities said Sajid travelled on an Indian passport and Naveed on an Australian passport. Both entered the country on November 1 and departed on November 28, declaring Davao as their destination.
Investigators said the purpose of the trip is being examined as part of the wider probe. Australian authorities said the deceased attacker was a licensed firearms holder who legally owned six firearms and that police were not searching for additional suspects.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declined to comment on the attackers’ origins, saying such details were part of an ongoing investigation and it would be inappropriate to speculate.
