Deadly Attack at Bondi Beach
New information has come out about a very serious shooting in Australia. Police in Telangana, India, have confirmed that Sajid Akram, one of the people involved in the terror attack at Bondi Beach, was originally from Hyderabad, India. This corrects earlier reports that said he was from Pakistan.
Who Was Sajid Akram?
- Sajid Akram moved to Australia nearly 27 years ago, in November 1998.
- He had finished his B Com degree in Hyderabad before moving.
- He did not have much contact with his family in Hyderabad over the years.
- He visited India only six times, mainly for family reasons like property matters or seeing his elderly parents.
- Police say his extreme beliefs and actions do not seem to be connected to India or any local groups in Telangana.
- Sajid had an Indian passport.
- His son, Naveed Akram, 24, and daughter were born in Australia and are Australian citizens.
- Telangana police also confirmed that Sajid Akram had no criminal record in India before he moved.
Details of the Attack
The attack happened on a Sunday at Sydney's famous Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah event. Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram, opened fire on people from a raised walking path.
The attack caused immense panic:
- 16 people were killed, including a 10-year-old girl, a religious leader, a retired police officer, and a person who survived the Holocaust.
- More than 25 people were injured, with six in very serious condition.
- The attackers fired for almost 10 minutes.
- Sajid Akram was shot and killed by police at the scene.
- Naveed Akram was arrested and is in the hospital under police guard. His condition is serious but stable.
What Police Found
Australian authorities have called this shooting a terrorist act. During their investigation, they found:
- Homemade bombs (improvised explosive devices).
- Two homemade flags linked to the Islamic State (IS) group.
- These items were found in a vehicle registered to Naveed Akram.
- Police also took several guns. Some of these guns were legally owned by Sajid Akram under a special license for hobbies.
Motive and Further Investigation
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the attackers were influenced by an "ideology of hate." He said the attack was meant to scare Australia's Jewish community. He called it "an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, and an act of terrorism."
Travel to the Philippines
Security agencies are also looking into a recent trip by Sajid and Naveed Akram to the Philippines. They reportedly stayed there last month, from November 1 to November 28. Philippine authorities confirmed their travel. Australian police are investigating the reason for this trip and reports of possible "military-style training."
Previous Concerns
According to police in New South Wales, the two men had told family members they were going on a fishing trip. Instead, they were staying at a rented place in Sydney, where more guns were found later. Australia's intelligence agency, ASIO, had looked at Naveed Akram in 2019 due to worries about his friends, but they did not think he was an immediate danger at that time. Prime Minister Albanese said there was no failure of intelligence.
Aftermath and Response
Bondi Beach remained a crime scene for days as police continued their investigation. It was expected to reopen later in the week.
Gun Laws Debate
This attack has restarted discussions about gun laws in Australia. Even though Australia already has strict gun control, the Prime Minister has suggested that gun rules might be made even tougher.
Flags across Australia were lowered to half-mast to honor the victims. The country is mourning this tragedy, which happened during what should have been a happy gathering at one of its most famous public places.
