Sydney / Hyderabad: New details have emerged in connection with the deadly terror attack in Sydney, in which Indian-origin accused Sajid Akram was involved. The incident, which took place at Bondi Beach, has drawn international attention after confirmation of the accused’s roots in Hyderabad, Telangana. The Telangana Director General of Police (DGP) has issued an official press statement outlining the background of the accused and clarifying India’s position in the case.
The Attack
The attack occurred during a public gathering at Bondi Beach, where celebratory events were underway. Gunfire erupted suddenly, resulting in the deaths of at least 15 people and injuries to several others. Australian security forces responded swiftly, neutralising the attacker at the scene. Sajid Akram was killed during the police operation, while his son, Naveed Akram, was taken into custody for further investigation.
Australian authorities are treating the incident as an act of terrorism, citing ideological motivations and material recovered from the attacker indicating radical extremist influence.
Hyderabad Connection of the Accused
According to the press note issued by the Telangana DGP, Sajid Akram was originally a resident of Hyderabad, Telangana. He completed his early education and graduation in the city before leaving India in the late 1990s in search of employment opportunities abroad.
Police records indicate that Sajid Akram migrated to Australia in November 1998 and subsequently settled there permanently. He married a foreign national and raised a family in Australia. His children are Australian citizens, while Sajid Akram himself continued to hold an Indian passport.
Limited Family Contact
The Telangana Police clarified that Sajid Akram had very limited contact with his relatives in Hyderabad over the past several years. Though he visited India on a few occasions, these visits were reportedly brief and related mainly to personal or property matters.
Family members told investigators that they were unaware of any radical or extremist leanings during his time in India or later. They also stated that he had largely distanced himself from family life in Hyderabad after settling abroad.
Telangana DGP’s Press Statement
In the official press release, the Telangana DGP categorically stated that:
- Sajid Akram had no known criminal record in Telangana or elsewhere in India.
- There was no evidence of radicalisation, extremist ideology, or terror-related activity during his stay in Hyderabad.
- No links were found connecting him to any Indian-based terrorist organisations or networks.
- His alleged radicalisation appears to have occurred outside India, long after his migration.
The DGP emphasised that Telangana Police are fully cooperating with central agencies and international counterparts, including Australian authorities, to assist in the ongoing investigation.
Terror Angle Under Probe
Australian investigators have indicated that the attacker may have been inspired by international extremist ideologies. Certain materials recovered from the accused suggest ideological alignment with global terror narratives. However, officials have so far found no operational link between the attacker and any India-based terror module.
Conclusion
While Sajid Akram’s Hyderabad origin has brought India into the broader discussion surrounding the Sydney attack, official findings so far make it clear that his actions were not connected to Telangana or India in any operational or ideological manner.
The Telangana DGP’s statement seeks to prevent misinformation and underscores that the attack was the result of individual radicalisation abroad, not influenced by circumstances or networks within India.
Investigations in Australia continue, particularly into the role of the accused’s son and whether any wider extremist connections exist.