HYDERABAD, INDIA(PTI) — The Telangana Police on Tuesday officially confirmed that Sajid Akram (50), one of the two suspects in the deadly mass shooting at Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia, is a native of Hyderabad, Telangana.

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In a formal statement released by the Director General of Police (DGP) office, authorities detailed the suspect’s background and migration history while distancing the motive for the terror attack from any local influence in India.

Key Findings Confirmed by State Police

• Origin and Migration: Sajid Akram, who was shot dead by Australian police at the scene, completed his B.Com in Hyderabad before migrating to Australia in November 1998 on a student visa in search of employment. He resided in Australia for approximately 27 years.

• Limited Contact: The Telangana DGP office stated that Akram had maintained “limited contact” with his family in Hyderabad following his migration. Family members, including his brother who resides in the city, have reportedly expressed shock and claimed to have cut ties with him years ago, particularly following his marriage to a Christian woman.

• No Indian Connection to Radicalisation: Crucially, the statement asserted that the factors leading to the radicalisation of Sajid Akram and his son, Naveed Akram (24), appear to have “no connection with India or any local influence in Telangana.” Indian police have found no adverse record on Akram during his earlier residence or during the six times he visited India since 1998.

Details of the Terror Incident

The confirmation comes as Australian authorities formally declared the Sunday attack a “terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State,” which targeted a gathering for the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.

• Attack Details: The attack resulted in the deaths of 15 people and left dozens injured.

• Suspects: The attackers were a father-son duo: Sajid Akram (deceased) and Naveed Akram (currently hospitalised and under police guard).

• Evidence: Australian police recovered two homemade ISIS flags and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from a vehicle linked to the younger suspect, leading to the terror classification.

• International Travel: Both suspects travelled to the Philippines for nearly the entire month of November 2025, with Sajid Akram using an Indian passport and Naveed Akram an Australian one. The purpose of this trip, which included the city of Davao—a region where ISIS-linked factions have previously operated—is a central point of the ongoing international investigation.

Indian authorities have reportedly visited the family members residing in Hyderabad to gather further details as part of the probe.