Sajid Akram, one of the two gunmen involved in the deadly shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney on Sunday, December 14, was originally from Hyderabad and had no known history of radical activities during his time in India, Telangana Police said on December 16.
Fifteen people were killed in the attack at Bondi Beach, which Australian authorities have declared a terrorist incident. Sajid Akram, 50, was shot dead by police during the operation, while his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, who carried out the attack with him, remains hospitalised in critical condition.
According to police, Sajid Akram completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Hyderabad before leaving India in November 1998 on a student visa to Australia. He later settled there permanently. Naveed, who was born in Australia, holds Australian citizenship.
Investigators in Australia have said the father-son duo appeared to be influenced by Islamic State ideology.
Telangana Police said Akram’s links with Hyderabad had weakened significantly over the years. After moving to Australia, he married Venera Grosso, a woman of European origin, and established his life there. While he continued to hold an Indian passport, both his children were born in Australia and are Australian citizens.
Police records show that Akram visited India only six times after leaving in 1998, mainly for family-related matters such as property issues and to meet elderly relatives. He did not return even after his father’s death in 2017, police noted.
Family members in Hyderabad expressed shock over the incident, saying they were unaware of any radical views or activities. Relatives told media outlets that contact with Sajid had been minimal for many years, particularly after his marriage.
In a press note, Telangana Police stated that Sajid Akram’s radicalisation appeared to have occurred entirely outside India and had no connection with Telangana or any local influence. Police confirmed there was no adverse record against him during his 27 years in Hyderabad prior to leaving the country.
“The family members have expressed no knowledge of his radical mindset or activities, nor of the circumstances that led to his radicalisation,” the statement said.
Recent travel records have revealed that Sajid and Naveed Akram travelled to the Philippines on November 1, 2025, around six weeks before the attack. Philippine authorities confirmed that Sajid travelled on his Indian passport, while Naveed used his Australian passport. The two reportedly visited Davao city on Mindanao island before returning to Sydney on November 28.
Australian investigators are probing whether the Philippines visit had any link to the planning of the attack. Two ISIS flags were reportedly recovered from the attackers’ vehicle at Bondi Beach.
Telangana Police urged the media and public to avoid speculation, stating that the department remains ready to cooperate with central and international agencies as the investigation continues.
The Bondi Beach attack, which targeted nearly 1,000 people gathered for a public Chanukah celebration, is being described as one of Australia’s deadliest mass shootings in almost 30 years.