Hyderabad: Panic gripped Sydney on the evening of December 14th when a brutal terror attack occurred at Archer Park near Bondi Beach during Hanukkah celebrations. According to eyewitnesses, two attackers opened indiscriminate fire on the crowd gathered to celebrate the Jewish festival of lights. A total of 15 people, including a 10-year-old girl and an 87-year-old man, were killed in the attack. Drone footage later revealed that the attackers had positioned themselves on a footbridge overlooking the crowd, making victims vulnerable from a short distance of approximately 50 meters.
Australian authorities have officially declared the incident a terrorist attack inspired by ISIS ideology.
Telangana Police Confirms Indian Connection
The Telangana Director General of Police (DGP), B. Shivadhar Reddy, an IPS officer of 1994 batch, has confirmed that one of the attackers, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, was originally from Hyderabad. Sajid moved to Australia in 1998, holding an Indian passport at the time. His son, 24-year-old Naveed Akram, was also involved in the attack and is currently hospitalized following a police shootout. Sajid was killed by police during the confrontation.
According to the Telangana Police press note, Sajid had limited contact with his family in Hyderabad over the past 27 years, visiting India only six times for property or family matters. The family has stated they had no knowledge of his radical ideology or activities. Police also confirmed that Sajid had no criminal record before leaving India.
DGP says, “As per information available from his relatives in India, Sajid Akram had limited contact with his family in Hyderabad over the past 27 years. He visited India on six occasions after migrating to Australia, primarily for family-related reasons such as property matters and visits to his elderly parents. It is understood that he did not travel to India even at the time of his father’s demise. The family members have expressed no knowledge of his radical mindset or activities, nor of the circumstances that led to his radicalisation.”
He also said that the factors contributing to the radicalization of Sajid Akram and his son, Naveed, appear to have no connection with India or any local influence in Telangana. Telangana Police have no adverse record against Sajid Akram during his stay in India prior to his departure in 1998. He stated that the Telangana Police remain committed to cooperating with central agencies and other counterparts as required and urge the public and media to avoid speculation or making assumptions without verified facts.
Background of Sajid Akram
Sajid Akram completed a B.Com degree in Hyderabad before moving to Australia in search of employment in November 1998. He married a European woman, Venera Grosso, and settled permanently in Australia. The couple had two children: Naveed, who participated in the attack, and a daughter. While his children are Australian citizens, Sajid retained his Indian passport.
Sajid Akram carries Indian passport as on date and his son Naveed Akram and daughter were born in Australia and are Australian citizens.
Suspected Military Training Abroad
Investigations have revealed that Sajid and his son traveled to the Philippines between November 1st and November 28th, weeks before the attack. Reports suggest that the duo may have received military-style training during their stay. Notably, Sajid used his Indian passport for this trip, while Naveed traveled on an Australian passport.
The Attack: Moments of Horror
The attack unfolded around 6:47 PM at Archer Park, with the crowd initially unaware of the danger. As the shooters opened fire from a higher elevation, panic spread rapidly. Attendees ran in all directions, some lying down on the sand to avoid bullets. The targeted attack, focused on Jewish families gathered for Hanukkah, has left Sydney in shock.
