According to Telangana Police, Sajid Akram completed his undergraduate studies in Hyderabad before marrying a woman of European origin and migrating to Australia in November 1998.
Telangana Director General of Police B. Shivadhar Reddy said Sajid had visited Hyderabad six times after becoming an Australian immigrant. He added that there was no record of criminal activity against Sajid in Telangana prior to his departure for Australia, and that his path toward extremism had no known links to India.
In an official statement, Telangana Police also confirmed that Sajid Akram was an Indian citizen.
Australian broadcaster ABC News reported on Tuesday that Sajid Akram and his son, Navid, had traveled to the Philippines to undergo military-style training before carrying out the Bondi Beach attack.
Citing Philippine Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval, ABC News said Sajid and Navid left the Philippines on November 28 via a connecting flight from Davao to Manila, with Sydney listed as their final destination. Sajid entered the Philippines using an Indian passport, while Navid was carrying an Australian passport.
Davao, located on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, has been known since the 1990s as an active base for Islamist militant groups.
The attack took place last Sunday at Bondi Beach, where Sajid and Navid launched the assault, killing at least 15 people. Sajid Akram was killed during the incident, while Navid sustained critical injuries and is currently undergoing treatment.
Authorities in Australia and other countries are continuing investigations into the incident, including possible international links and the attackers’ movements prior to the attack.
Comments Here: