Sydney, Australia: Australian authorities confirmed that the tragic Bondi Beach shooting, one of the nation’s deadliest mass shootings, was allegedly carried out by a father and son inspired by Islamic State ideology. The gunmen, identified as 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration, killing 15 people and injuring dozens more. Sajid Akram was killed by police, while Naveed remains in critical condition in hospital.
Indian police revealed that Sajid Akram originated from Hyderabad, Telangana, but had limited contact with his family in India. Indian authorities confirmed that there was no prior record of radical activity before his migration to Australia in 1998, and the radicalization of both men appears to have no direct link to India or Telangana.
Australian police said the duo traveled to the Philippines in November 2025, with Sajid entering on an Indian passport and Naveed on an Australian one. The purpose of the month-long trip is still under investigation, though authorities noted that Islamic State-linked networks operate in southern Philippines, primarily Mindanao, though on a reduced scale compared to the 2017 Marawi siege.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the attack was motivated by Islamic State ideology, emphasizing that such actions are linked to extremist networks, not religion. The gunmen reportedly fired on hundreds of festival attendees for approximately 10 minutes, forcing people to flee and take cover before law enforcement intervened. Police later discovered improvised explosive devices and ISIS-affiliated flags in a vehicle registered to Naveed Akram.
The attack has sent shockwaves through Australia’s Jewish community, with Israeli Ambassador Amir Maimon urging the government to take additional steps to secure Jewish lives. A memorial of flowers has grown at Bondi Pavilion, and the community continues to mourn victims, including a 10-year-old girl, Holocaust survivors, and religious leaders.
Amid the tragedy, heroism emerged as Ahmed al Ahmed, a Muslim father, charged at one of the gunmen and disarmed him, sustaining injuries in the process. His bravery has received global recognition, with a GoFundMe campaign raising over A$1.9 million ($1.26 million) for his recovery.
The attack has renewed calls for stricter gun laws in Australia, as Sajid Akram was a licensed gun owner with six registered firearms. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated that Australia’s existing gun laws, dating back to reforms after the Port Arthur massacre, would be reassessed. Former Prime Minister John Howard warned that reform must not overshadow the urgent need to combat anti-Semitism, citing repeated incidents against Jewish communities in recent months.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident and provide support for survivors, while the nation grapples with the scale of the tragedy and the ideological motivations behind it.