The deadly attack at Sydney’s Bondi Beach has not only shaken Australia but also triggered a wider international controversy over misinformation, nationality misidentification, and allegations of a deliberate media blame narrative involving Pakistan.

Australian and Indian authorities have confirmed that one of the attackers, Sajid Akram, was originally from Hyderabad, India, having migrated to Australia in 1998. His 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram, was also involved in the attack. According to police investigations the father was killed by police at the scene, while the son survived and remains in custody. Authorities have described the attack as ideologically inspired, with early findings pointing to influence from Islamic State ideology, though no direct operational links have been confirmed.

Investigators revealed that improvised explosive devices and handmade extremist symbols were recovered from a vehicle linked to the attackers. Indian police also confirmed that Sajid Akram had travelled to the Philippines in November 2025 using an Indian passport, while his son travelled on an Australian passport. In the immediate aftermath of the attack, unverified claims circulated on social media and some foreign media platforms, incorrectly linking the attacker’s identity to Pakistan. These claims were later debunked by official police statements and immigration records confirming the attacker’s Indian origin.The controversy deepened after critics and commentators in Pakistan alleged that Indian authorities were aware of the attacker’s nationality early on, yet did not immediately challenge narratives that allowed Pakistan to be blamed in public discourse. These critics argue that the delay in clarifying the attacker’s background contributed to a misleading media environment, particularly on social media, where Pakistan was named without verification.The attack has also reignited global discussions on how quickly misinformation spreads during crises, and how unverified claims can escalate into diplomatic and social tensions. While investigations have firmly established the attacker’s Indian origin and ideological motivation, the early blame directed at Pakistan by Indian media organisations has been debunked and turned out to be false and classified as yet another attempt by india to slander Pakistan.