Philippine authorities have confirmed that Sajid Akram, one of the attackers involved in the Bondi Beach mass shooting in Sydney, was an Indian national, while his son and co-accused Naveed Akram holds Australian citizenship.
The confirmation came from the Philippines’ Bureau of Immigration on Tuesday, which stated that both individuals had visited the Philippines in November 2025, weeks before the deadly attack.
Details of the Attack
The shooting took place on Sunday at Bondi Beach, where a Hanukkah event was underway. According to Australian authorities, 15 people were killed and 42 others injured when Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24, opened fire using rifles.
Sajid Akram was killed during an exchange of fire with police, while Naveed Akram was injured and is currently hospitalised under police guard.
Philippines Travel Confirmed
Dana Sandoval, spokesperson for the Philippines’ Bureau of Immigration, said:
“Sajid Akram, 50, an Indian national and Australian resident, and Naveed Akram, 24, an Australian national, arrived in the Philippines together on November 1, 2025 from Sydney.”
She added that the pair reported Davao as their final destination and left the Philippines on November 28, 2025, travelling from Davao to Manila before returning to Sydney.
Australian authorities have said the purpose of the Philippines visit is under investigation.
Background and Immigration Status
Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said Sajid Akram arrived in Australia in 1998 on a student visa, later switching to a partner visa in 2001. Since then, he travelled overseas multiple times on resident return visas, which allow permanent residents to exit and re-enter Australia while retaining residency status.
Naveed Akram was born in Australia. A former colleague told local media that his mother is Italian and his father was Indian, adding that Naveed legally possessed a firearms licence.
Diplomatic Engagement and Condolences
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong spoke with India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday to brief him on the attack and the ongoing investigation.
Wong said both sides agreed that “there must be no place for antisemitism, violence, and terrorism.”
Jaishankar conveyed India’s condolences and full support, describing the incident as a terrorist attack.
Terror Link Under Probe
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said investigators believe the attackers were motivated by Islamic State ideology and were allegedly radicalised by extremist beliefs.
Officials also noted that Davao, where the attackers travelled last month, is located in Mindanao, a region that has previously seen Islamic State-linked activity. However, authorities have not yet established a direct operational link between the trip and the attack.
The investigation into the shooting and the suspects’ international movements is ongoing.
