Sajid Akram, 50, who opened fire at a gathering during Jewish festival Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi beach, was from Hyderabad and had an Indian passport, the Telangana Police said in a press note.
The police said they have “no adverse record against Akram during his stay in India prior to his departure in 1998".
Akram and his son, Naveed, 24, opened fire at the gathering on Sunday, killing at least 16. While Akram was shot dead, Naveed is injured. The incident is being treated as a terrorist attack by the Australian Government. Reports indicate that they were inspired by ISIS ideology.
Akram completed his B.Com degree in Hyderabad and migrated to Australia in search of employment, approximately 27 years ago, in November 1998. He subsequently married Venera Grosso, a European origin woman before settle permanently in Australia, said the note.
They have one son, Naveed and one daughter. Sajid Akram carries Indian passport as on date and his son Naveed Akram and daughter were born in Australia and are Australian citizens.
As per information available from his relatives in India, “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," it said.
“The family members have expressed no knowledge of his radical mindset or activities, nor of the circumstances that led to his radicalisation. The factors that led to the radicalisation of Sajid Akram and his son, Naveed appear to have no connection with India or any local influence in Telangana," it added.
The Telangana Police said they remained committed to cooperating with central agencies and other counterparts, as and when required, and urged the public and media to avoid speculation or attribution without verified facts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had strongly condemned the attack. In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi said, “Strongly condemn the ghastly terrorist attack carried out today at Bondi Beach, Australia, targeting people celebrating the first day of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah."
“We stand in solidarity with the people of Australia in this hour of grief…India has zero tolerance towards terrorism and supports the fight against all forms and manifestations of terrorism," he said.
