Telangana police on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, issued a detailed clarification on the identities and background of the father and son involved in the mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, during a Hanukkah celebration on 14 December 2025, which left 16 people dead. One of the attackers was also killed during the incident, which Australian authorities have classified as a terrorist attack inspired by ISIS ideology.
The attackers were identified as Sajid Akram, aged 50, and his son Naveed Akram, aged 24. Australian police and government authorities have confirmed that further investigation into the incident is ongoing.
According to a press note issued by the Telangana Police, Sajid Akram originally hailed from Hyderabad and completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in the city before migrating to Australia in November 1998 in search of employment opportunities. He subsequently married Venere Grosso, a woman of European origin, and settled permanently in Australia. The couple had two children – Naveed Akram, who was the other terrorist who did the attack, and a daughter. While Sajid Akram continues to hold an Indian passport, both his son and daughter were born in Australia and are Australian citizens.
The press note stated that Sajid Akram had maintained limited contact with his relatives in Hyderabad over the past 27 years. After relocating to Australia, he reportedly visited India on six occasions, primarily for family-related matters such as property issues and visits to his elderly parents. It was also noted that he did not travel to India at the time of his father’s death.
Family members in India told the police that they had no knowledge of Sajid Akram holding extremist views or engaging in radical or terrorist activities, nor were they aware of the circumstances that may have led to his radicalisation.
Based on preliminary findings, the Telangana Police stated that the factors contributing to the radicalisation of Sajid Akram and his son Naveed appeared to have no connection with India or with any local influences in Telangana. The police further clarified that there was no adverse record against Sajid Akram during his stay in India prior to his departure in 1998.
The Telangana Police said it is continuing to cooperate fully with central agencies and other relevant authorities, as required, and urged the public and media to refrain from speculation or attribution without verified facts.
Telangana DGP confirms that one of the Bondi Beach attackers was Indian origin. He migrated to Australia in 1998
I find jubilation of Pakis hilarious. Country of origin is irrelevant. The Bondi attack was a result of Islam. They were Muslims.
Terror has an obvious religion pic.twitter.com/vJQOtKImqB
— Nupur J Sharma (@UnSubtleDesi) December 16, 2025
Source: ABP News
Subscribe to our channels on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.