Australian Mass Shooting: The Hyderabad Connection

The horrifying Bondi Beach mass shooting has killed more than 10 people and it’s regarded as one of the most horrifying incidents in recent human history in Australia. Now, an integral Hyderabad connection is being established with the suspect in the attack.

Sajid Akram, one of the attackers in the Bondi Beach terror case, last visited Hyderabad in 2022, which was also the sixth and final trip he made to India, investigators said.

Akram, aged around 50, has family roots in the city, though his relatives have publicly distanced themselves from him following the attack. Sajid used to live in Tolichowki and did his BCom and still holds Indian passport.

Sajid’s father died in 2009, while his mother and brother continue to live in Toli Chowki in Hyderabad. Sources said Sajid had differences with his brother over property matters and had come to Hyderabad during one of his visits to explore the possibility of settling here.

As part of his background, Sajid completed his graduation at Anwar-ul-Uloom College in Hyderabad. He later moved abroad and had been visiting India intermittently over the years, with 2022 marking his final visit sources in Telangana police told me.

Following the attack, Sajid’s brother told the media that the family has no connection with him and was unaware of any radical mindset or extremist views. The family, he said, had not been in touch with Sajid for a few years.