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Hyderabad origins of Bondi Beach attacker revealed
Sajid Akram, one of two men suspected in Sunday's mass shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach, was originally from Hyderabad but had minimal contact with his family in India, according to police sources.
Family unaware of radicalization
A Telangana police official told BBC Telugu that Akram, 50, had visited India only six times since emigrating to Australia in 1998. His trips were primarily for family matters, including property disputes and visits to elderly parents.
"He did not even return for his father's funeral," the official noted. "His family expressed no knowledge of any radical beliefs or activities."
Attack details and motives under scrutiny
Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son, Naveed, are accused of killing 15 people and wounding dozens during a Hanukkah celebration. Authorities are investigating their recent trip to the Philippines, where they stayed from November 1 to 28.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported, citing security sources, that the pair may have received "military-style training" in the Philippines, though officials have not confirmed this.
Prior investigations and extremist links
Naveed Akram was previously investigated in 2019 for alleged ties to a Sydney-based ISIS cell. At the time, authorities determined he posed no immediate threat, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
ISIS, a militant Islamist group, has claimed responsibility for multiple attacks worldwide, including the 2015 Paris attacks.
International cooperation in probe
Philippines Foreign Affairs Minister Maria Theresa Lazaro and her Australian counterpart, Penny Wong, have agreed to share updates on the investigation, according to a statement from Lazaro.
Sajid Akram held an Indian passport, while his children, including Naveed, are Australian citizens. The elder Akram had no criminal record in India and moved to Australia for work before marrying a woman of European descent, Telangana police said.
