Australian authorities have widened their investigation into the deadly Bondi Beach attack reaching out to international partners as they examine the attackers’ background and potential overseas links.
Australian intelligence agencies have formally approached India to verify the nationality of the attackers’ father, opening a cross-border line of inquiry. Officials said the step was taken as part of standard international cooperation. It is intended to establish accurate biographical records.
Police have identified the suspects as Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24. Sajid Akram was killed during a gunfight with police at the scene. Meanwhile, Naveed Akram remains in critical but stable condition under police guard.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said Sajid Akram was a licensed firearms holder. He met the eligibility requirements for recreational hunting. Authorities linked him to six firearms, all of which are believed to have been used in the attack.
BREAKING: Australia’s NSW Premier confirms India’s External Affairs Minister Jaishankar has pledged full cooperation after the Bondi Beach attackers were identified as Indian nationals. pic.twitter.com/d3uORr4NhT
— Sulaiman Ahmed (@ShaykhSulaiman) December 15, 2025Immigration and security background
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed that Sajid Akram arrived in Australia in 1998 on a student visa. This was later converted to a partner visa and subsequently to a resident return visa. He did not publicly specify the country of origin.
Naveed Akram is an Australian-born citizen. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Naveed first came to the authorities’ attention in October 2019. He was assessed due to associations with other individuals. “At that time, there was no indication of an ongoing threat or intent to engage in violence,” Albanese said.
Public broadcaster ABC reported that counter-terrorism officers had previously examined Naveed Akram’s links to individuals connected to extremist networks. ABC also cited senior officials. They said investigators believe the attackers were motivated by extremist ideology, though they were not part of a formal operational cell.
Bondi beach Sydney Australia shooter was an Indian. His Colleague takes off the lid from the reality. Another Modi and RAW terrorists attack in collaboration with Taliban. pic.twitter.com/XhoZTJxVOI
— Irves (@Irves_Watch) December 15, 2025Two Islamic State flags were found inside the attackers’ vehicle, according to officials cited by ABC. Video footage from the scene showed a flag on the car’s bonnet. Police confirmed that the assailants used long-arm firearms and fired toward a crowd attending a Hanukkah event near the northern end of Bondi Beach.
Footage circulating online captured a bystander, later identified as Ahmed al Ahmed, confronting one of the attackers. The fruit shop owner and father of two tackled the gunman, seized his weapon and turned it back toward him. He prevented further harm.
Emergency responders and civilians also rushed toward danger. Off-duty lifeguards ran across the beach to evacuate children. Surfboards were used as makeshift stretchers to carry wounded victims. “The team ran under fire to clear children from the playground,” said Steven Pearce of Surf Life Saving New South Wales.
Read: Australians Raise Nearly $1 Million for Bondi Beach Hero Ahmed al Ahmed
In response to the attack, Prime Minister Albanese convened an emergency meeting with state and territory leaders. Officials agreed to strengthen gun laws nationwide. These include tighter background checks, restrictions on firearm access for non-nationals, and limits on certain weapon types.
Australia has recorded a few mass shootings since sweeping gun reforms were introduced after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, which killed 35 people. Sunday’s attack has renewed scrutiny of firearm licensing and enforcement.
