Bondi Beach Shooting: Shooter Sajid Akram originally from Hyderabad, says Telangana Police
Sajid Akram migrated to Australia 27 years ago, had limited contact with family in Hyderabad, said Telangana police.
Bondi Beach Shooting: The 50-year-old Sajid Akram, one of the two attackers in the Bondi Beach mass shooting in Australia, who killed at least 16 people at a Jewish event on Sunday, is originally from Hyderabad, ANI reported, citing Telangana Police.
Sajid Akram migrated to Australia 27 years ago, had limited contact with family in Hyderabad, said Telangana police.
Sajid Akram was shot dead following the horrific mass killing, and his son, Naveed Akram, sustained injuries.
Sajid Akram migrated to Australia on a student visa in 1998. He was a resident of Tolichowki in Hyderabad, and came to India on "two to three" occasions, according to the Hindu report, which cites Indian government officials.
“His father died in 2017; he did not even come to attend his last rites,” a top government official is quoted as saying in the report.
The report citing another official said that Akram’s immediate family lives in Hyderabad, and his elder brother is a doctor. His late father retired from the army in UAE in 1984.
Akram’s son, Naveed, who is currently admitted to a hospital, was born in Australia in 2001 and is an Australian citizen.
“After completing a bachelor's in commerce from Hyderabad, Akram moved to Australia and married a European woman. He retained his Indian passport,” an official is quoted as saying.
The officials told the Hindu that the preliminary investigation does not establish any local links so far. "We do not have access to his activities in Australia. His background was checked based on information from our sources," the official said.
It further stated that Australian authorities are in touch with Indian officials about the investigation.
Earlier today, Philippine immigration officials stated that Sajid Akram and his son travelled to the Philippines in November, and Sajid travelled on an Indian passport.
A comprehensive investigation is underway, Australian authorities said earlier today in a press conference.
Telangana Police Press Note on Sajid Akram
A mass shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney, on Sunday, December 14, 2025, by two perpetrators, during a public Hanukkah celebration has reportedly resulted in the deaths of 15 victims and one of the two attackers. The incident is treated as a terrorist attack by the Australian Police/Government. The attackers have been identified as Sajid Akram (50 years) and his son Naveed Akram (24 years). Reports indicate that they were inspired by ISIS ideology. Further investigation in this regard is being carried out by Australian authorities.
Sajid Akram is originally from Hyderabad, India. He completed his B.Com degree in Hyderabad and migrated to Australia in search of employment, approximately 27 years ago, in November 1998. He subsequently married Ms. Venera Grosso, a European origin woman before settling permanently in Australia. They have one son, Naveed (one of the two attackers) and one daughter. Sajid Akram carries Indian passport as on date and his son Naveed Akram and daughter were born in Australia and are Australian citizens.
As per information available from his relatives in India, Sajid Akram had limited contact with his family in Hyderabad over the past 27 years. He visited India on six occasions after migrating to Australia, primarily for family-related reasons such as property matters and visits to his elderly parents. It is understood that he did not travel to India even at the time of his father’s demise.
The family members have expressed no knowledge of his radical mindset or activities, nor of the circumstances that led to his radicalisation.
The factors that led to the radicalisation of Sajid Akram and his son, Naveed appear to have no connection with India or any local influence in Telangana.
Telangana Police has no adverse record against Sajid Akram during his stay in India prior to his departure in 1998.
PM Modi condemns the attack
Prime Minister Modi had condemned the attack on December 14. PM Modi, in a post on X, wrote, “Strongly condemn the ghastly terrorist attack carried out today at Bondi Beach, Australia, targeting people celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.”
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