The Bondi Beach mass shooting, one of Australia’s deadliest attacks in nearly three decades, continues to send shockwaves across the country as new police documents reveal chilling details about how the assault was meticulously planned by Naveed Akram and his father Sajid Akram. According to investigators, the father-son duo engaged in firearms training, tactical scanning, and reconnaissance operations months before carrying out the brutal attack during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on December 14.

The revelations have deepened public horror over the incident, underscoring how extremist ideology, access to weapons, and careful preparation combined to produce a tragedy that left at least 15 people dead and dozens injured. For Australia, a nation with some of the world’s strictest gun laws, the attack has also prompted urgent debates about security loopholes, radicalisation, and legislative reform.

What police documents reveal about the planning

According to documents released by Australian police on Monday, Naveed Akram, aged 24, and his father Sajid Akram, 50, carried out firearms training in what investigators believe was the New South Wales countryside, away from public scrutiny. The documents, cited by international media, describe the training sessions as deliberate and structured, not casual recreational shooting.

Photographs included in the court filings reportedly show the duo firing shotguns and moving in what police described as a “tactical manner”, suggesting familiarity with combat-style movement rather than standard civilian firearms handling. Officers believe these drills were aimed at preparing for a mass-casualty attack.

Police sources said the pair “meticulously planned” the Bondi Beach shooting over several months, contradicting any suggestion that the violence was spontaneous or impulsive.

Night-time reconnaissance at Bondi Beach

One of the most disturbing revelations is that Naveed and Sajid Akram allegedly carried out a night-time reconnaissance trip to Bondi Beach just days before the massacre. Investigators say this allowed them to study the location, foot traffic, crowd behaviour, and possible escape routes.

Bondi Beach, one of Australia’s most iconic and crowded public spaces, was hosting an annual Jewish Hanukkah event, making it a soft target with large numbers of civilians present. Police believe the attackers deliberately chose the timing and location to maximise casualties and symbolic impact.

Such reconnaissance is a known hallmark of terror-style attacks, where perpetrators familiarise themselves with the environment to increase the effectiveness of their assault.

Use of improvised explosive devices

Perhaps the most alarming detail in the police documents is the allegation that the father-son duo attempted to begin their attack by throwing four improvised explosive devices (IEDs) into the crowd before opening fire.

Police described the devices as three aluminium pipe bombs and one tennis ball bomb filled with explosive material, black powder, and steel ball bearings. Although none of the devices detonated, authorities stressed that they were “viable” and capable of causing mass casualties.

Investigators believe the failure of the IEDs to explode prevented an even higher death toll. Had the devices detonated as intended, the casualties could have far exceeded the already devastating figures.

Anti-Semitic and extremist motivations

Police documents also reveal that Naveed and Sajid Akram recorded a video in October, weeks before the Bondi Beach shooting, in which they ranted against “Zionists” while sitting in front of a flag associated with the Islamic State (ISIS) jihadist group.

In the video, the duo reportedly detailed their motivations for carrying out the attack, reinforcing investigators’ belief that the shooting was ideologically driven rather than the result of personal grievances alone.

The presence of ISIS symbolism at the scene and in pre-attack material has intensified concerns about radicalisation within Australia and the influence of global extremist propaganda on lone actors and small cells.

The Bondi Beach attack

On December 14, the carefully planned assault unfolded during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach. According to authorities, the attackers first attempted to use explosive devices before switching to firearms when the bombs failed.

The result was catastrophic. At least 15 people were killed, making it Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in nearly 30 years. Dozens more were injured, many with life-altering wounds.

Police officers responding to the scene shot and wounded Naveed Akram, while his father Sajid Akram was killed during the confrontation. The rapid police response likely prevented further loss of life, but the scale of the tragedy has left an indelible scar on the nation.

Charges against Naveed Akram

Following emergency medical treatment, Naveed Akram was transferred from hospital to a prison facility in New South Wales. Authorities have not disclosed the exact location for security reasons.

He has been charged with 59 offences, including:

• 15 counts of murder

• 40 counts of causing harm with intent to murder

• One count of committing a terrorist act

The scale of the charges reflects both the number of victims and the alleged premeditated nature of the attack.

Citizenship and firearms ownership under scrutiny

The aftermath of the Bondi Beach shooting has triggered swift political action. The New South Wales government has introduced draft laws to Parliament proposing significant changes to firearms regulations.

One of the most notable proposals would make Australian citizenship a requirement for qualifying for a firearms licence. This change would have directly affected Sajid Akram, who was an Indian citizen holding permanent residency in Australia.

According to reports, Sajid Akram legally owned six rifles and shotguns, raising serious questions about how existing gun laws were applied and monitored.

Proposed limits on gun ownership

In addition to citizenship requirements, the proposed reforms would also introduce a new legal limit on recreational shooters, capping ownership at a maximum of four firearms.

Australian authorities say these changes aim to reduce the risk of mass-casualty events by limiting access to weapons and tightening eligibility criteria. While Australia already has strict gun laws compared to many countries, the Bondi Beach attack has exposed gaps that policymakers are now racing to address.

Community trauma and national grief

The shooting has left Australia grappling with grief, anger, and fear. Bondi Beach, normally associated with leisure, tourism, and multicultural harmony, has become a symbol of vulnerability.

The fact that the attack targeted a religious celebration has also heightened concerns among minority communities. Jewish organisations across Australia have called for increased security and stronger action against hate-driven violence.

Candlelight vigils, memorials, and interfaith gatherings have taken place nationwide, reflecting both mourning and solidarity.

Radicalisation and lone-actor terrorism

Security experts say the Bondi Beach shooting reflects a troubling trend of small-cell or family-based radicalisation, where close relatives reinforce each other’s extremist beliefs.

The father-son dynamic in this case raises complex questions about how radical ideology is transmitted within families and how early warning signs might be detected.

Authorities are now reviewing intelligence-sharing mechanisms, online monitoring practices, and community engagement programmes to prevent similar attacks in the future.

Lessons for Australian security agencies

The attack has prompted intense scrutiny of how individuals with extremist views were able to:

• Access and legally own firearms

• Conduct firearms training without raising alarms

• Carry out reconnaissance at a major public venue

Police and intelligence agencies are expected to conduct internal reviews to identify missed warning signs and strengthen counterterrorism frameworks.

Global implications

The Bondi Beach shooting has also drawn international attention, highlighting how global extremist narratives can inspire violence far from traditional conflict zones.

For countries with diverse migrant populations and open societies, the attack serves as a reminder that countering radicalisation requires not just law enforcement, but also education, community trust, and early intervention.

Conclusion

The newly revealed details of the Bondi Beach mass shooting paint a chilling picture of careful planning, tactical preparation, and ideological hatred. The actions of Naveed and Sajid Akram were not random but deliberate, calculated, and devastating in their impact.

As Australia mourns the victims and supports the survivors, the nation also faces hard questions about security, gun control, and radicalisation. The legislative changes now underway signal a determination to learn from tragedy, but the emotional and psychological scars left by the attack will take far longer to heal.

The Bondi Beach shooting stands as a stark reminder that vigilance, inclusivity, and strong institutions remain essential to protecting open societies from acts of extreme violence.

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