SYDNEY (Web Desk) – The Indian embassy was aware from the outset that the Sydney Bondi Beach attacker was an Indian citizen, according to documents that have recently come to light, despite early attempts to shift blame onto Pakistan.
Sajid Akram and his son, Naveed Akram, who were both involved in the attack, were issued passports by the Indian embassy. Sajid Akram’s passport, valid for ten years, was issued on 24 February 2022. The document lists Hyderabad in the Indian state of Telangana as his place of origin and carries an expiry date of 23 February 2032.
In the immediate aftermath of the attack, sections of the Indian media reported that the attacker was a Pakistani national. These claims were later contradicted when evidence emerged confirming that the assailant was an Indian citizen.
According to The Guardian, Australia deported two officials linked to India’s intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), in 2020 over illegal activities, including the profiling of Indian residents in the country. Defence analysts have suggested that Sajid Akram may have had links to RAW. He had recently travelled to the Philippines using his Indian passport.
Meanwhile, Australian authorities have formally charged the surviving attacker in the deadly Bondi Beach shooting with terrorism and murder.
The shooting took place during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, killing 15 people and injuring dozens, including two police officers. The attack has since been described as one of Australia’s deadliest acts of mass violence in recent years.
On Wednesday, police and court officials confirmed that 59 charges are being introduced against 24-year-old Naveed Akram, who survived the shooting after being wounded by police. The charges include committing a terrorist act, murder, wounding with intent to murder, placing an explosive, and discharging a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
New South Wales Police said prosecutors will argue that the accused engaged in conduct that caused death and serious injury in order to advance a religious cause and instil fear within the community.
Bondi Beach attacker was Indian national, confirm Telangana Police
The attack was carried out by two men, identified as Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed. Police said the attackers used six firearms, all owned by Sajid Akram, who was shot dead at the scene.
NSW Health confirmed that 20 people remain hospitalised from injuries sustained in the shooting. One patient is in critical condition, while several others are described as critical but stable. The attack triggered widespread panic along the beachfront as crowds fled amid sustained gunfire.
Naveed Akram had been placed in a medically induced coma following the shooting and regained consciousness earlier this week. New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said officers were waiting for medication to wear off before formally questioning him.
“For fairness, we need him to understand exactly what is happening,” Lanyon said, adding that the suspect has so far refused to be interviewed.
Authorities said early indications suggest the attack was inspired by ISIS, a terrorist organisation banned in Australia. Investigators continue to analyse electronic devices, financial records and international movements linked to the attackers.
Further scrutiny has focused on the men’s recent international travel. Records show that Sajid Akram travelled to the Philippines days before the attack using his Indian passport. The pair entered the country in early November and spent time in Davao, a region with a long history of insurgency.
Philippine authorities rejected any suggestion that the country was used as a training base.
“There is no evidence to support claims that the Philippines was used for terrorist training,” presidential spokeswoman Claire Castro said, reading from a National Security Council statement.
As investigations continue, funerals have begun for the victims of the attack. Services held on Tuesday and Wednesday drew thousands of mourners, with heightened security across Sydney.
Among those remembered were Rabbi Eli Schlanger and Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, both prominent figures within Sydney’s Jewish community. Funeral processions passed through Bondi as family members, religious leaders and community representatives paid tribute.
Images from the scene showed coffins escorted from synagogues as crowds gathered in silence.
Sydney mourners remember slain rabbis killed in Bondi Beach shooting
One of the most widely recognised acts of bravery came from Ahmed al-Ahmed, a Syrian Australian who tackled one of the gunmen during the attack and wrestled a shotgun away, preventing further loss of life.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited al-Ahmed in hospital, describing him as “the best of our country”. A public fundraising campaign has raised more than A$2.3 million to support his recovery. Al-Ahmed sustained multiple gunshot wounds and faces months of treatment.
In response to the shooting, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns announced that parliament will be recalled next week to debate urgent gun law reforms. Proposed measures include capping the number of firearms an individual may own and reclassifying certain shotguns.