Sajid Akram, one of the two Bondi Beach attackers who killed at least 16 people at a Jewish event in Australia on Sunday (December 14, 2025), was an Indian citizen from Hyderabad, government officials who ran a background check on the deceased told The Hindu. He last came to India in 2022 for a two-week visit.
Akram, 50, was a resident of Tolichowki in Hyderabad, but after migrating to Australia on a student visa in 1998, he only visited India on six occasions, the Telangana police said in a statement on Tuesday (December 16).
Sajid Akram. Photo: Special Arrangement
“His father died in 2017, he did not come even to attend his last rites,” a top government official said.
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Limited contact
Akram’s relatives in India say that he has had limited contact with his family in Hyderabad over the past 27 years, the police said. He visited India primarily for family-related reasons, such as property matters and visits to his elderly parents.
“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,” the Telangana police said, adding that they do not have any adverse record against Akram during his stay in India before he left in 1998. Noting reports that indicated the father-son duo were inspired by ISIS ideology, the police said that “further investigation in this regard is being carried out by Australian authorities.”
The Telangana police remain committed to cooperating with Central agencies and other counterparts, as and when required, the statement said, urging the public and media to avoid speculation or attribution without verified facts.
‘No local links found yet’
Akram died during the attack. His son Naveed, the other Bondi Beach attacker, was born in Australia in 2001 and is an Australian citizen. He was shot at by the police and has been admitted to a hospital.
Another official said that Akram’s immediate family still lives in Hyderabad, and his elder brother is a doctor. His late father had worked in the United Arab Emirates.
“After completing his Bachelors [degree] in commerce from Hyderabad, Akram moved to Australia and married a European woman. He retained his Indian passport,” the official said.
Asked whether the Akrams had any local links in India, the official said: “Preliminary investigation do 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.”
‘In touch with Australian authorities’
Sources also confirmed to The Hindu that Australian authorities are “in touch” with Indian officials about the investigation.
Philippines immigration officials had earlier said that Sajid Akram had travelled to the Philippines on an Indian passport last month. “Sajid Akram, 50, Indian national, and Naveed Akram, 24, Australian national, arrived in the Philippines together last November 1, 2025, from Sydney, Australia.” Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval told news agencies in Manila on Tuesday (December 16).
The Ministry of External Affairs did not respond to queries on the Filipino official’s statement. MEA officials said that it was for Australian authorities to provide details of their investigations.
Thus far, Australian authorities have declined to comment on the origins of the attackers. When asked specifically whether Sajid Akram belonged to India or to Pakistan, as reports suggested, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that such details were part of the investigation.
“So I can’t go into that detail, and it wouldn’t be appropriate to undermine the investigation by going into it,” Mr. Albanese told reporters on Tuesday (December 16).
Published – December 16, 2025 03:53 pm IST
