Bondi shooting: attackers travelled to Philippines on Indian passports

WEB DESK: The Philippine government has confirmed that the attackers involved in the Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney visited the Philippines in November, according to official immigration records.

As per Bloomberg, Philippine immigration authorities said the suspects entered the country as Indian nationals, travelling on Indian passports. The two attackers, identified as a father and son, reportedly arrived in the Philippines from Sydney on November 1 and departed on November 28.

Officials named the individuals as 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram. Both are said to have travelled together during their stay in the Philippines, though authorities have not disclosed details about their activities while in the country.

Foreign media reported that Australian police had earlier indicated the suspects had travelled to the Philippines last month and are now investigating the purpose of the visit as part of a broader probe into the deadly attack. Law enforcement agencies in Australia are working to determine whether the overseas travel had any link to the planning or execution of the shooting.

The confirmation comes as investigations continue into the attack that took place on Sunday at Sydney’s popular Bondi Beach, where two gunmen opened fire on civilians. The incident left at least 15 people dead and more than 30 others injured, making it one of the deadliest attacks in Australia in recent years.

The shooting sparked widespread shock and condemnation, while one bystander was hailed as a hero for risking his life to apprehend one of the attackers. Authorities in Australia have said inquiries are ongoing, including examining the attackers’ movements abroad, as they seek to establish the full sequence of events and any possible international connections.

Web Desk