Hyderabad-origin man identified as attacker in Sydney Bondi Beach shooting

Hyderabad Fresh details have emerged in connection with the deadly shooting at Australia’s Bondi Beach in Sydney, in which 16 people were killed during a Jewish festival.

The main attacker, Sajid Akram, has now been identified as a native of Hyderabad’s Old City in India, contradicting earlier media reports that described the assailants as being of Pakistani origin.

According to official sources and family members in Hyderabad, Sajid Akram migrated to Australia in 1998 on a student visa. He later married a European-origin Christian woman, following which his family in Hyderabad severed all ties with him.

Relatives stated that the interfaith marriage led to a complete breakdown in relations, and Sajid had been out of contact with his family for more than two decades. Despite having lived in Australia for several years, Sajid Akram reportedly continued to hold an Indian passport.

His son and daughter were born in Australia and are Australian citizens. Investigators have also revealed that Sajid had travelled abroad using his Indian passport and Australian travel documents, including a recent visit to the Philippines weeks before the attack.

The shooting took place during celebrations marking the Jewish festival of Hanukkah at Bondi Beach, a popular and crowded location in Sydney. Sajid Akram and his son, Naveed Akram, allegedly opened fire on the gathering, resulting in the death of 16 people and leaving several others injured.

The incident has been described as one of the deadliest terror-style attacks in Australia in nearly 30 years. Following the attack, Australian police launched an immediate counter-operation. Sajid Akram was shot dead by police at the scene, while his son Naveed sustained gunshot injuries and is currently undergoing treatment in a hospital under police custody.

Family members in Hyderabad told the media that Sajid had rarely visited India after migrating to Australia, estimating that he may have returned only two or three times in the past 25 years. His last known visit to India was reportedly in 2022.

Relatives also claimed that Sajid did not return even when his father passed away in 2009 and had shown no concern for his ailing mother, who still lives in Hyderabad. Indian investigative agencies are said to be in touch with Australian authorities to verify Sajid Akram’s background, travel history, and possible links, if any, to extremist networks.

Meanwhile, Australian officials continue to probe the motive behind the attack and the extent of the son’s involvement. The revelations have added an international dimension to the investigation, as authorities in both countries work to piece together the attacker’s past and the circumstances that led to the tragic incident.

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