Bondi Beach attacker was originally from India's Hyderabad, confirm Indian police

Indian police confirmed on Tuesday that Sajid Akram, one of the attackers killed in the Bondi Beach shooting in Australia, was originally from Hyderabad but maintained limited contact with his family in India.

The shooting on Sunday, which is being investigated as a terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community, left 16 people dead, including one of the gunmen. Australian police identified the deceased attacker as 50-year-old Sajid Akram, who was shot during the police response.

His 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram, described as his accomplice by local media, remains in critical condition after being injured in the incident.

Telangana police said that family members in India were unaware of any extremist views or activities linked to Sajid Akram. In a statement, the police said that relatives had no knowledge of his radicalisation.

Australian officials said that both father and son had travelled to the Philippines last month. Authorities confirmed that Sajid Akram used an Indian passport, while his son travelled on an Australian passport.

The reason for the visit is still under investigation, and officials said there is no confirmation so far of any link to a militant group or training abroad.

According to Telangana police, Sajid Akram migrated to Australia in 1998 and returned to India on six occasions, mainly to visit family. The statement added that there was no adverse record against him before he left India and said the factors behind the radicalisation did not appear to be connected to India or Telangana.