Australian authorities are continuing their probe into the bondi beach shooting that left the country shaken, as more details about the attackers’ background come to light.
Telangana police confirmed on Tuesday that Sajid Akram, the 50-year-old man involved in the bondi beach shooting, was originally from Hyderabad, India. Sajid had migrated to Australia around 27 years ago and had only limited contact with his family after leaving India, officials said, adding that his relatives were unaware of any extremist ideology.
Hyderabad roots and migration history
According to Telangana police, Sajid Akram moved to Australia in the late 1990s and settled there permanently. Police officials stated that there are no criminal records against him in Telangana before his migration. Sajid reportedly visited India six times after moving abroad, but his family claimed they had no knowledge of his radical mindset or activities connected to the bondi beach shooting.
Family members in Hyderabad were reportedly shocked by the news. Sajid’s brother told local media that ties with him were severed more than two decades ago after Sajid married a Christian woman. Since then, the family had minimal contact with him and was completely unaware of his life in Australia.
What happened during the attack
The bondi beach shooting took place on Sunday during a Hanukkah event at Sydney’s popular Bondi Beach. Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son Naveed allegedly opened fire with rifles, killing 15 people on the spot. The death toll later rose to 16 after Sajid was killed during an exchange of fire with Australian police. Naveed remains in critical condition and is undergoing treatment at a hospital under police guard.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a targeted assault on Jewish Australians. He called the incident an act of evil driven by antisemitism and terrorism, stating that the bondi beach shooting struck at the heart of the nation.
No India link to radicalisation
Telangana police clarified that preliminary findings suggest Sajid Akram’s radicalisation had no connection to India or any local influence in Telangana. Authorities said they would fully cooperate with Australian federal agencies and international counterparts as the investigation into the bondi beach shooting continues.
For more global context on hate-driven violence, readers can explore this Kiddaan explainer on rising extremist attacks worldwide. Official updates and press briefings are also being shared through verified Australian government channels on YouTube.
FAQs
Q: What is known about the bondi beach shooting?
A: The bondi beach shooting was a deadly attack during a Jewish event in Sydney that killed 16 people, including the main attacker.
Q: Was the bondi beach shooting linked to India?
A: Telangana police said there is no evidence connecting the attack or radicalisation to India.
Q: Who was Sajid Akram?
A: Sajid Akram was a Hyderabad-born man who migrated to Australia decades ago and was involved in the attack.
Q: What happened to Sajid Akram’s son?
A: His son Naveed was injured during the attack and is currently hospitalised under police custody.
