Left India decades ago but kept passport; didn’t return even after father’s death: Police clarify Australian beach attack suspect’s radicalisation

Indian authorities have confirmed that Sajid Akram, the 50-year-old man killed in a police encounter after the antisemitic mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, had only limited links with India for nearly three decades, underlining that his alleged radicalisation had no known connection to the country.

Telangana Police said Akram was originally from Hyderabad, held an Indian passport and had completed a B.Com degree before migrating to Australia in November 1998, initially on a student visa. He later settled there after marrying a woman of European origin. Police said he visited India only a handful of times, mainly to deal with property matters, and maintained minimal contact with his relatives.

Akram did not return to Hyderabad even after his father’s death and was absent from funeral prayers in 2017. His last visit to the city was in 2022. Investigators stressed that there was no evidence linking his alleged radicalisation to India and that his relationship with extended family members had broken down years ago.

“The family members have expressed no knowledge of his radical mindset or activities, nor of the circumstances that led to his radicalization,” Telangana State Police Chief, B. Shivadhar Reddy said.

Attack during Hanukkah celebration

Australia was preparing on Wednesday for the funerals of some of the 15 victims killed in the attack during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, one of the country’s most popular landmarks. The victims were aged between 10 and 87.

Twenty-two people injured in the shooting remained in Sydney hospitals, with six in critical condition. The gunfire erupted on Sunday as members of Australia’s Jewish community gathered for festivities.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday that police assessments linking the attack to the Islamic State group were based on evidence seized after the shooting.

Suspects and investigation

Authorities said the suspects were a father and son, aged 50 and 24. The elder suspect, Sajid Akram, was shot dead by police. His son, who has not been formally named, was hospitalised and emerged from a coma on Tuesday.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said investigators expected to question and charge the younger suspect on Wednesday.

Last month, the two suspects travelled to the Philippines, Lanyon told reporters. He confirmed that a vehicle removed from the scene, registered in the younger suspect’s name, contained improvised explosive devices.

“I also confirm that it contained two homemade ISIS flags,” Lanyon said.

The Philippines Bureau of Immigration said Akram and his son, Naveed Akram, travelled to the country from November 1 to November 28, listing Davao as their final destination. Australian authorities have not confirmed these details or the younger suspect’s name.

Victims, heroes and public anger

Among those injured was Ahmed al Ahmed, who was hailed as a hero after video footage showed him tackling and disarming one of the attackers before placing the weapon on the ground. Three other people who attempted to stop the gunmen were shot dead.

Those killed included Boris and Sofia Gurman, a married couple identified as the first victims after they tried to stop one of the shooters as he climbed out of his car. 

As public anger grew three days after the attack, questions were raised about how the suspects obtained their weapons and whether Australia’s Jewish community is adequately protected amid concerns over rising antisemitism.

Gun law reforms and national response

Albanese announced plans to further tighten Australia’s already strict gun laws, after it emerged that the older suspect had legally amassed six firearms. State leaders also pledged sweeping reforms, which would be the most significant since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.

Albanese visited al Ahmed in hospital on Tuesday, where the 44-year-old Syrian-born shop owner was awaiting further surgery for shotgun wounds.

“It was a great honor to met Ahmed al Ahmed. He is a true Australian hero,” Albanese said.

“We are a brave country. Ahmed al Ahmed represents the best of our country. We will not allow this country to be divided. That is what the terrorists seek. We will unite. We will embrace each other, and we’ll get through this,” he added.

Community solidarity at Bondi

Bondi Beach lifeguards were also praised for their actions. One lifeguard, identified as Rory Davey, carried out an ocean rescue during the shooting after people fled into the sea. Another, Jackson Doolan, ran barefoot from nearby Tamarama beach carrying a first aid kit.

“These guys are community members and it’s not about the surf,” Anthony Caroll of “Bondi Rescue” told Sky News. “They heard the gunshots and they left the beach and came right up the back here into the scene of the crime, into harm’s way.”

Israeli Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon visited the site on Tuesday.

“I’m not sure that my vocabulary is rich enough to express how I feel. My heart is torn apart because the Jewish community, the Australians of Jewish faith, the Jewish community is also my community,” Maimon said.

Thousands have visited Bondi to lay flowers at a makeshift memorial, including former Prime Minister John Howard. A record number of Australians also signed up to donate blood, with appointments at Bondi booked until December 31 and queues reported to be several hours long at some centres.