The gunmen involved in the deadly mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney on the evening of December 1 have been traced to Hyderabad, a development confirmed by law enforcement agencies in both Australia and India.
His 24-year-old son, who was also involved, is critically wounded and is hospitalised in Sydney.
The revelation has drawn attention to a two-storey bungalow in the Tolichowki area of Hyderabad, owned by the family of the accused.
At least 15 people were killed in the attack, which took place during a Hanukkah celebration, sending shockwaves across Australia and prompting international scrutiny of the shooters’ backgrounds and possible ideological motivations.
Australian authorities identified the attackers as Sajid Akram (50) and his son Naveed Akram (24). Investigators disclosed that the father-son duo had travelled to the Philippines last month.
The Philippines Bureau of Immigration confirmed that Sajid travelled on an Indian passport, while Naveed used an Australian passport, highlighting the transnational dimensions of the case.
Telangana Police Detail Family Background
Following the emergence of the Indian connection, the Telangana Police released details regarding Sajid Akram’s background.
According to official records, Sajid holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) degree and migrated to Australia in November 1998 in search of employment opportunities.
While in Australia, Sajid married a woman of European origin, and the couple had two children—Naveed and a daughter.
Police officials stated that since migrating, Sajid returned to India only six times over more than two decades and maintained minimal contact with his extended family in Hyderabad.
Telangana Director General of Police B Reddy, in an official statement, emphasised that there was no indication of radicalisation or extremist influence during Sajid’s time in India.
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,” the DGP said.
Telangana Police have no adverse record against Sajid during his stay in India before his departure in 1998.”
Limited Ties to Hyderabad, Even in Times of Bereavement
Officials noted that Sajid’s visits to India—including the most recent one in 2022—were limited to personal matters such as attempting to sell ancestral property. When the property sale did not materialise, he reportedly returned quickly to Australia.
Neighbours and officials confirmed that Sajid did not travel to Hyderabad even when his father passed away in 2009.
“Even when their father passed away, no one saw Sajid.”
The DGP corroborated this, stating that it was understood Sajid did not visit India at the time.
An official added that Sajid’s brother has been managing the family house in Tolichowki since then.
Tolichowki House Draws Public Attention
As news of the Hyderabad link spread, residents of the densely populated Tolichowki locality gathered outside the Akram family bungalow.
When some mediapersons visited the site, the house was padlocked.
“They were here till Tuesday afternoon. Then the police came, and with them the media. They left soon after,” a neighbour said.
According to intelligence officials, the Akram family originally lived near Hyderabad’s Charminar area until around 2002.
Between 2002 and 2004, they shifted to Tolichowki. Despite the family’s long-standing presence in the city, locals described them as reclusive.
“The family is quiet; they keep to themselves. We have hardly seen Sajid here,” another neighbour remarked.
Firearms, Prior Scrutiny, and Extremist Links in Australia
International media reports have added further layers to the investigation. According to The New York Times, Sajid Akram was a licensed firearm owner and legally possessed six registered guns.
The report also stated that Naveed Akram had come to the attention of Australian authorities in 2019. At the time, officials determined that he did not pose an immediate threat, and Sajid was also interviewed during that inquiry.
Australian news outlets later reported that the 2019 investigation was linked to Naveed’s association with Isaac El Matari, a self-proclaimed Islamic State commander based in Sydney.
El Matari was convicted of plotting a terrorist attack and sentenced to seven years in prison in 2021.
Ongoing Coordination Between Agencies
Telangana Police officials confirmed that they are cooperating fully with central agencies in India as well as international counterparts to assist the broader investigation.
As authorities piece together the trajectory of radicalisation, funding, and ideological influence, the case continues to underline how extremist violence can evolve across borders—often remaining invisible to local communities until it erupts with devastating consequences.
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