Deadly Attack at Hanukkah Event
Fifteen people were killed and 42 others injured when Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, opened fire with rifles during a Hanukkah gathering at Bondi Beach, Sydney, on Sunday.
Sajid Akram was killed in a police shootout, while Naveed Akram is currently hospitalized under police guard.
Philippines Confirms Visit
The Philippines Bureau of Immigration confirmed that Sajid Akram, an Indian national and Australian resident, visited the country in November 2025. Both father and son reportedly arrived in Davao on November 1 and left the Philippines on November 28, traveling via Manila to Sydney.
A spokesperson stated, “Both reported Davao as their final destination during their visit. Their departure was recorded from Davao to Manila before returning to Sydney.”
Australian Authorities on Attackers’ Background
Australian officials confirmed that Sajid Akram moved to Australia in 1998 on a student visa and later obtained a partner visa in 2001. He held multiple resident return visas, allowing him to travel freely while maintaining permanent resident status.
Naveed Akram, his son, is an Australian-born citizen. Reports indicate his background is Indian and Italian, with his father being Indian and mother Italian.
Investigation and Motivations
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the attackers were motivated by Islamic State ideology. Officials are investigating their travel to the Philippines last month and its potential link to radicalization.
Davao, the Philippines city they visited, has been a focus of Islamic State activity, including the 2017 siege of Marawi by IS militants.
Diplomatic Response
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong spoke with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, offering condolences and updates on the ongoing investigation.
Jaishankar expressed India’s deepest condolences and reaffirmed full support for the investigation. Wong emphasized that there is no place for antisemitism, violence, or terrorism anywhere in the world.
Witness Accounts
A former colleague of Naveed Akram told media outlets that the detained attacker occasionally spoke about religion but was not forceful. Naveed also held a firearm license. Authorities continue to probe the father-son duo’s connections and movements.
