KEY POINTS
- Australian intelligence agencies have contacted the Indian government seeking information about attackers.
- Police identified the attackers as Sajid Akram and his son Naveed Akram.
- Sajid Akram was a licensed firearms holder with six legally owned weapons.
- A friend of one of the attackers claimed that Naveed Akram had links to India.
SYDNEY, Australia: Australian intelligence agencies have formally contacted the Indian government as part of their investigation into the deadly Bondi Beach shooting, Indian media reported on Monday. The outreach was aimed at seeking information about the attackers, the reports said.
Australian authorities have not publicly confirmed any findings linking the attack to a foreign state.
Officials say the investigation remains ongoing and is focused on establishing the facts around the incident, the attackers’ background, and potential security lapses.
Claims reported in Indian media
According to Indian media reports, Australian intelligence agencies have formally contacted the Indian government regarding the Sydney Bondi Beach attack.
Indian media outlet, News 18, reported that Australian intelligence officials reached out to Indian authorities to seek information and conduct inquiries related to the terrorists involved.
Australian intelligence officials have initiated contact with Indian agencies to share information, as investigations trace the background of the Bondi terrorists to India. pic.twitter.com/oAyAxKQBRP
— Mohsin Ali (@Mohsin_o2) December 15, 2025
It may be recalled that a friend of one of the terrorists involved in the Sydney attack had earlier claimed that Naveed had links to India.
Earlier, a friend of one of the attackers had claimed that Naveed Akram had links to India. The friend stated that Naveed Akram’s father was Indian, while his mother was Italian.
These claims have been cited in media reports but have not been independently verified by Australian authorities.
Who were the attackers?
Police have identified the gunmen as Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24. Australian authorities confirmed the two were father and son.
Sajid Akram was shot dead by police at the scene. Naveed Akram remains in critical condition in the hospital under police guard and is expected to face criminal charges, officials said.
The pair targeted a “Chanukah by the Sea” event at Bondi Beach on Sunday evening, opening fire on Jewish families gathered for the celebration. Police said at least 16 people were killed and dozens were wounded.
Neighbour’s account and firearms scrutiny
A neighbour told Australian media that the family had a mixed Indian–Italian background.
“His background’s Indian and Italian… his mum’s Italian, his dad’s Indian,” the neighbour said, recalling conversations before the attack.
The neighbour also said Sajid Akram was licensed to own firearms, adding that licensing “needs to be looked into”.
Police confirmed Sajid Akram held a valid firearms licence for recreational hunting and was a member of a gun club.
Authorities said he had six legally owned weapons registered in his name. All have since been recovered.
Investigators said two Islamic State (IS) flags were found inside the attackers’ car. One was visible on the bonnet in footage from the scene, according to Australia’s public broadcaster ABC.
Counterterrorism police believe both attackers had pledged allegiance to IS, officials said. Australian police have declared the attack a terrorist incident.
ABC News reported that Naveed Akram, an Australian-born citizen, had previously been examined over close ties to a Sydney-based IS cell.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Akram first came to the attention of security agencies in October 2019, but assessments at the time found no indication of an imminent threat.
Background of the attacker
Police said the family had lived in Bonnyrigg, New South Wales, for years. Weeks before the attack, the father and son moved to a short-term rental property in Campsie, about 30 minutes from Bondi Beach.
Investigators believe the Campsie property was used to prepare for the assault. Police raided both the rental and the family’s former home as part of the investigation.
Sajid Akram arrived in Australia in 1998 on a student visa, later converting to a partner visa and then resident return visas, allowing him to remain long term.
Naveed Akram had worked as a mason but had been unemployed for about two months before the attack, police said.
Bystander hailed as hero
During the shooting, bystander Ahmed al Ahmed was filmed wrestling a gun away from one of the attackers. His family said he was shot four or five times in the shoulder during the confrontation.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns visited him in hospital and praised his actions, which police and officials said likely saved lives.
Police said a homemade explosive device was found in a vehicle linked to the attackers.
Prime Minister Albanese said the government would push for tougher gun laws, citing serious questions over firearms licensing and oversight, particularly in cases involving radicalisation risks.
