Sydney terror attack mastermind Sajid was originally Indian, did not return to country even after father’s death

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The main accused behind the attack on Jews celebrating the Hanukkah festival at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, Sajid Akram, was originally an Indian national. He hailed from Hyderabad in Telangana and moved to Australia in 1998. After shifting abroad, his contact with family members remained extremely limited. Even after the death of his father in 2009, Sajid did not return to India.

Telangana Police and intelligence agencies traced Sajid Akram’s family to Al Hasanath Colony in Toli Chowki, Hyderabad. His father was a retired armed forces officer, while his elder brother is a doctor. Telangana DGP Shivdhar Reddy stated that after leaving India, Sajid visited the country only six times, mainly for property-related matters. He added that Sajid’s absence even during his father’s death indicated very weak family ties.

According to reports, Sajid’s family told police during questioning that they have no information about when or how Sajid and his 24-year-old son, Naveed, became radicalised. DGP Reddy said preliminary findings suggest Sajid was influenced by ISIS ideology, but there is no evidence linking his radicalisation to India. He also clarified that Sajid had no criminal record in India before moving to Australia.

Australian authorities suspect that both Sajid and his son Naveed were radicalised in Sydney itself. Naveed reportedly attended Arabic language and religious courses in Sydney between 2019 and 2022. New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said that a crude bomb and two ISIS flags were recovered from Naveed’s vehicle.

A total of 40 people were injured in the attack, including three Indian students. Two of the injured Indians remain in critical condition and are currently undergoing treatment in hospital.