Bondi Beach attack: Who were the gunmen?

• Indian police identify one attacker as an Indian national who left the country 27 years ago.
• Investigators probe possible overseas training after reports of travel to the Philippines.

Indian police said on Tuesday that Sajid Akram, one of the two perpetrators of the deadly Bondi Beach attack in Australia, is an Indian citizen who emigrated nearly three decades ago, as Australian authorities continue investigating the motive and possible foreign links behind the assault.

Police in the southern Indian state of Telangana said Akram left India in November 1998, about 27 years ago, and moved to Australia in search of work. The statement said his roots trace back to Hyderabad, adding that his contact with family members in India had been limited since his departure.

- Family background and travel history -

Akram visited India on six occasions after emigrating, mainly for family-related reasons, including property matters and visits to his elderly parents. Authorities said they have no record of criminal activity or extremist behavior linked to him during his time in India, according to the Telangana police.

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Family members told police they were unaware of any extremist views or activities and said they had no knowledge of the circumstances that may have led to his radicalization. Police added that the factors behind Akram’s radicalization appeared unrelated to India or any local influence in Telangana.

- The attack in Australia -

Australian authorities said Akram and his son, Naveed, opened fire on a crowd celebrating the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah at Bondi Beach on Sunday. The attack killed 15 people, making it one of the deadliest mass shootings in Australia.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the father and son were driven by the ideology of the Daesh group. Naveed is listed in Australian immigration records as an Australian citizen, according to officials.

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- Philippines travel under scrutiny -

Australian media, citing unnamed security sources, reported that Akram and his son traveled to the southern Philippines about a month before the attack, raising questions about possible training or external support.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation said investigators are examining potential links to an international extremist network following the trip. Since 2014, the Daesh group has sought to establish cells in the Philippines, where it has carried out attacks through local affiliates.

The Philippine Bureau of Immigration confirmed that the two men arrived in the country on November 1 on Philippine Airlines flight PR 212 from Sydney to Manila, before traveling onward to Davao City. The bureau said Akram entered using an Indian passport, while his son used an Australian passport.

Both men left the Philippines on November 28, traveling the same route from Davao through Manila back to Sydney, weeks before the attack.

Investigations in Australia, India, and the Philippines are ongoing as authorities seek to determine the full scope of planning, radicalization, and possible external connections behind the attack.