One Attacker at Sydney’s Bondi Beach Identified as Indian

Australian authorities have confirmed that one of the perpetrators of the deadly Bondi Beach attack in Sydney was an Indian national. According to information shared by Indian police on Tuesday, the deceased attacker had travelled from Hyderabad, India to Australia. Indian authorities have stated that the family in India was unaware of his extremist inclinations.

The individual has been identified as Sajid Akram (50). He carried out the attack alongside his son, Navid Akram. The incident has claimed 16 lives, making it one of the deadliest gun attacks in Australia in nearly three decades. In the aftermath, investigations into possible anti-Semitic terrorist motives have been launched.

The Telangana Police, in southern India, released a statement noting that Sajid Akram had studied commerce in Hyderabad before moving to Australia in November 1998 in search of employment. He leaves behind one son and one daughter. Over the years, Sajid returned to India six times for property matters and family visits.

Indian authorities emphasised that the family had no prior knowledge of his extremist views. Records indicate that before leaving India in 1998, Sajid had no criminal background or adverse police reports. The authorities also clarified that neither Sajid nor his son Navid had any operational links with India, nor did they have any influence or connections in Telangana.

Meanwhile, Australian police disclosed that in the previous month, Sajid travelled to the Philippines using his Indian passport, while Navid used his Australian passport for the same trip. Authorities are investigating the purpose of this travel. It remains uncertain whether they were affiliated with any terrorist group or received training in the Philippines.

This incident has sent shockwaves through Australia, with authorities seeking to determine whether the attackers acted alone or as part of a broader network. Security agencies in both Australia and India are coordinating to trace the attackers’ movements and any potential links abroad.

Bondi Beach Attack: Key Details

The attack at Bondi Beach has prompted heightened security measures across Sydney and intensified scrutiny of international movements, highlighting the challenge of preventing extremist violence even from individuals previously unknown to authorities.