As investigators piece together the background of the deadly Bondi Beach shooting, new details have emerged that expand the scope of the probe beyond Australia. Authorities are now examining the personal history, travel records and overseas links of the attacker, as questions grow over how the radicalisation went unnoticed for years.
Recent disclosures by Indian and Australian officials have added an important international dimension to the case, shedding light on the shooter’s roots and movements before the attack.
Indian Origin of Bondi Beach Shooter Revealed
Australian and Indian authorities have confirmed that one of the gunmen in the deadly Bondi Beach mass shooting was originally from Hyderabad, India. The revelation adds a new Indian angle to the investigation into what has been declared a terrorist attack at a crowded Hanukkah event in Sydney.
Who Was Sajid Akram?
The gunman killed by police during the attack has been named Sajid Akram, 50. Indian police said he was born in Hyderabad and migrated to Australia in 1998. Since then, he had lived abroad and had only limited contact with his family in India.
Police in India stated they had no record of criminal or extremist activity by Akram before he left the country. His family said they had no understanding of any radical beliefs or motivations that might have led to the shooting.
Bondi Beach Shooting: Travel to the Philippines on an Indian Passport
Authorities in the Philippines Bureau of Immigration confirmed that Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son, Naveed, travelled to the Philippines together in early November on Indian passports. They arrived on 1 November and left on 28 November 2025, shortly before the attack in Sydney.
Australian police are examining whether their visit abroad is connected to planning or radicalisation, though no definitive evidence has yet been made public.
Australian Authorities Call Bondi Beach Attack Terrorism
The attack on 14 December 2025 at a Chanukah celebration near Bondi Beach is being treated as a terrorism incident. Police say at least 15 people were killed and dozens were injured when the father-son duo opened fire with rifles during the crowded event. Sajid Akram died during a police confrontation, while his son, Naveed Akram, 24, remains in critical condition under police guard.
Australian leaders have described the shooting as a targeted attack on the Jewish community. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called it “an act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation.”
Indian Police Statement on Radicalisation
Indian authorities have emphasised that there is no indication that Akram’s radicalisation was connected to India or influenced by contacts in his home state of Telangana. They said he visited India multiple times since migrating — including trips for family reasons — but there were no records of extremism before he left for Australia.
What This Means for India-Australia Ties?
The confirmation of a Hyderabad connection adds complexity to international cooperation on the case. Indian police said they will work with federal agencies and counterparts overseas as required.
Experts say police inquiries will also focus on the father-son pair’s travel history and potential links to extremist ideologies or networks abroad.
Quotes Reflecting Public Reaction
The growing body of reports and reactions from officials has shaped public understanding of the incident’s background. Australian authorities and foreign governments alike stress the importance of distinguishing verified facts from speculation, especially on sensitive issues involving nationality and extremism.
Ongoing Investigation
Investigators continue to gather evidence linked to the attack. Authorities are analysing travel records, communications and any possible connections to extremist groups. No definitive link to an organised group has yet been confirmed publicly.
The incident remains one of the deadliest in Australia in decades, prompting renewed discussions about terrorism, gun laws, and community security.