Following the deadly attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, officials and observers have flagged what they describe as a coordinated misinformation campaign, allegedly driven by sections of Israeli, Indian and Afghan media, that falsely identified an unrelated individual as the attacker.
Australian media initially reported that the attacker was named Naveed Akram, based on early police information. However, soon after, several foreign media outlets circulated a photograph of another man, identifying him as Sheikh Naveed and falsely linking him to the Bondi Beach incident.
In response, Sheikh Naveed, a resident of New South Wales, publicly rejected the claims through social media. He said the images being shared had no connection to the Sydney attack and accused foreign media outlets of spreading false and misleading information.
“My photograph is being wrongly used to label me as the attacker,” he said, adding that he has no involvement whatsoever in the incident.
#IndianPropaganda #Exposed: Sheikh Naveed from Lahore, Pakistan, says Indian-based social media accounts are falsely using his photos to link him to the Bondi Beach shooter in Australia due to a similar name, Naveed Akram. He says the misinformation has put his life at risk and… pic.twitter.com/IUVOrCSeic
— Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) December 14, 2025Sheikh Naveed urged the public to rely only on verified Australian sources for updates and warned against sharing unconfirmed images or narratives related to the attack.
Originally from Lahore, Sheikh Naveed stressed that the circulation of false images not only damages individual reputations but also fuels global misinformation, especially during sensitive security incidents.
He called on international audiences to verify facts through official police statements and credible Australian media, emphasising that reckless reporting can inflame tensions and cause lasting harm.
What Happened at Bondi Beach
Earlier, two gunmen opened fire on a gathering at Bondi Beach during an event marking the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, killing 11 people and injuring many others. New South Wales police declared the shooting a terrorist incident.
Emergency services transported at least 29 injured people to nearby hospitals. One suspect was killed at the scene, while the second remains in critical condition, police said.
🚨 IMPORTANT:
Indian and Afghan propaganda accounts are spreading fake news by showing this man as the Afghan terrorist “Naveed Akram” linked to the Bondi Beach attack in Australia.
The man has clarified that his real name is Sheikh Naveed and he has no connection to incident. pic.twitter.com/tqlLXkEWih
— Zard si Gana (@ZardSi) December 14, 2025Authorities also reported discovering suspected improvised explosive devices in a vehicle linked to the deceased suspect, raising concerns about the scale and planning of the attack.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the shooting, calling it a targeted attack on Jewish Australians. “An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian,” he said, praising civilians who intervened to disarm one of the attackers as “heroes.”
Read: Explosive Device Found in Car Linked to Bondi Beach Shooting Suspect
Police and officials have urged the public to avoid speculation and misinformation, stressing that false identity claims complicate investigations and unfairly target innocent individuals. Australian authorities continue to investigate the attack and have warned that spreading unverified claims could undermine public safety and trust.
