Hyd man’s involvement in Australia shootings a national concern: Telangana BJP chief

The involvement of a Hyderabad resident in the deadly Bondi beach shootings in Australia is not only a matter of national embarrassment but also raises serious security concerns, Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao said on Wednesday.

The incident, which claimed 15 lives, reportedly involved one of the suspects, Sajid Akram, who hails from Hyderabad, according to Telangana police. Responding to this, Ramchander Rao urged the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances under which Akram left India and the contacts or affiliations he maintained afterward.

“This connection between Hyderabad and the terrorist attack in Australia is deeply humiliating for the country and a serious national security issue. It’s crucial to understand why Akram left India and what activities he engaged in after leaving,” he stated.

Ramchander also emphasized that the incident tarnishes India’s image as well as Hyderabad’s reputation. He suggested that the authorities should also examine the background of the suspect’s family. “It is unfortunate that an individual from India, and specifically Hyderabad, was involved in such a heinous attack. Even after 27 years of leaving Hyderabad, there are concerns that sleeper cells linked to Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) or Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) might still exist here,” he added.

According to Telangana police, 50-year-old Sajid Akram completed his BCom in Hyderabad and moved to Australia in November 1998 seeking employment opportunities. He was killed in the Bondi beach shooting, and authorities confirmed that he carried an Indian passport. Australian Federal Police Commissioner, Kirsty Barrett, stated on Tuesday that the attack was inspired by the Islamic State.