Bondi Beach Shooting: Father from Hyderabad Among Attackers in Australia Massacre

SYDNEY: One of the two men involved in the Bondi Beach shooting, which killed at least 15 people during a Jewish gathering in Australia on December 14, was identified as being from Hyderabad, India, according to Indian government sources reported by The Hindu.

The gunman, Sajid Akram, 50, is now dead. Indian authorities confirmed his background after verification checks. Sajid, a resident of Tolichowki, Hyderabad, moved to Australia in 1998 on a student visa and had returned to India only a few times, last visiting in 2022. His father passed away in 2017, but Sajid did not attend the funeral. His immediate family, including his elder brother, a medical doctor, continues to reside in Hyderabad.

Sajid’s son, 24-year-old Naveed Akram, the second attacker, was born in Australia and holds Australian citizenship. He was shot by police during the attack and is currently hospitalized.

After completing a commerce degree in Hyderabad, Sajid moved to Australia, married a European woman, and retained his Indian passport. Indian officials said preliminary investigations have not established any domestic links, and they are relying on limited information about his activities in Australia.

Australian authorities remain in contact with Indian officials as investigations continue. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the matter of Sajid’s origin is still under investigation. Telangana police confirmed that Sajid had limited contact with family in India, and his relatives were unaware of any radical mindset or activities.

Travel Through the Philippines

The Philippines also identified Sajid as an Indian national based on his travel documents. Sajid and Naveed arrived in the Philippines on November 1, 2025, listing Davao as their destination. They spent nearly the entire month in the country and left on November 28 for Manila, returning to Sydney.

Australian authorities indicated the attack appeared inspired by Daesh (ISIS). Police reported that Naveed’s vehicle contained improvised explosive devices and two homemade ISIS flags. Videos also emerged showing Naveed preaching religion at suburban Sydney train stations.

The Bondi Beach attack is Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in nearly 30 years and is being treated as a terrorist act targeting the Jewish community. The death toll now stands at 16, including Sajid, with Naveed in critical condition. Victims ranged from a rabbi and Holocaust survivor to a 10-year-old girl, Matilda Britvan. Two police officers remain in critical but stable condition.

Prime Minister Albanese said both attackers were likely radicalized by Daesh ideology.

Context of Mindanao
Davao, located in eastern Mindanao, Philippines, is an urban center in a region historically affected by insurgencies. While Daesh-linked groups were active in Mindanao in the past, the Philippine military has not confirmed any recent military-style training of the attackers in the country.