Telangana Police on Tuesday clarified that Sajid Akram, the Hyderabad-born man killed in a police encounter after a terror attack on a Jewish gathering at Sydney&rsquo;s Bondi Beach, had minimal contact with his family in India for nearly three decades.
In a detailed statement, the police said Sajid Akram completed his B.Com degree in Hyderabad before migrating to Australia in November 1998. He continues to hold an Indian passport but has largely remained disconnected from his relatives in Hyderabad since his departure.
According to the police, Sajid Akram visited India only six times over the past 27 years, mainly for property-related matters and to meet his elderly parents. He did not return to India even after his father&rsquo;s death, highlighting his limited family engagement.
The clarification comes amid a multi-agency international probe into the December 14 mass shooting at Bondi Beach, where Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram, opened fire during a Hanukkah event. The attack killed 15 people and left at least 42 injured.
Sajid Akram was shot dead during an exchange of fire with Australian police, raising the death toll to 16. Naveed Akram remains hospitalised under police custody.
Authorities in the Philippines earlier confirmed that Sajid Akram was an Indian national and an Australian resident who had travelled to the country shortly before the attack. Immigration officials said Sajid and his son arrived from Sydney on November 1, 2025, reported Davao as their destination, and returned to Sydney on November 28.
Telangana Police further stated that Sajid Akram married a woman of European origin after settling in Australia and had two children, both Australian citizens.
Family members in India have told investigators they were unaware of any radical beliefs or activities linked to Sajid Akram or his son. Police stressed that there was no criminal or adverse record against him during his time in India.
The police added that preliminary findings suggest the radicalisation of Sajid Akram and Naveed had no links to India or Telangana. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has described the incident as a targeted terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State ideology.
Australian agencies are also examining the father and son&rsquo;s recent travel to Mindanao in the Philippines, a region known for past Islamic State-linked activity, as part of the ongoing investigation.

Police say Hyderabad-born attacker had minimal family ties with India

Telangana Police On Bondi Beach Terror Suspect

Police say Hyderabad-born attacker had minimal family ties with India

December 17, 2025 | 15:13 IST