Sydney Attack: India and Israel’s Anti-Pakistan Propaganda Debunked

In a significant development, allegations connecting Pakistan to the recent deadly attack in Sydney, Australia, have been debunked, revealing what appears to be a coordinated misinformation campaign led by media outlets in Israel, India, and Afghanistan.

The terrorist attack, which claimed 15 lives and left approximately 40 people injured, including two police officers, occurred on Sydney’s coast. Security forces killed one attacker in the ensuing confrontation while another was apprehended with injuries. Investigators also discovered explosive materials in a vehicle near the incident site.

Following the attack, Israeli and Indian media outlets rapidly disseminated claims linking the perpetrators to Pakistan without substantiating evidence. The Jerusalem newspaper specifically identified the attackers as Pakistani nationals as part of what officials are calling a predetermined narrative designed to implicate Pakistan in international terrorism.

Concurrent with these media reports, social media accounts allegedly connected to India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) launched what Pakistani officials described as a “toxic propaganda campaign” against their country. Analysts note this approach mirrors tactics previously observed in the disputed Pahalgam incident narrative.

Pakistani authorities have categorically denied any connection to the individuals named in these reports. According to official records, there is no evidence suggesting that Sajid Akram and Naveed Akram, the alleged attackers, are Pakistani citizens. This position has been reinforced by Pakistani diplomatic representatives in Australia who confirmed they have no information supporting claims of Pakistani nationality for these individuals.

Contrary to Indian media assertions that Sajid Akram entered Australia recently on a tourist visa, Australian Home Minister Tony Burke has clarified that Akram arrived in Australia in 1998 on a student visa. This was later converted to a partner visa in 2001 following his marriage to an Australian woman identified as Warina.

Further undermining the allegations, investigative reports reveal that Sajid Akram has been a registered member of an Australian gun club for approximately a decade. Authorities recovered six licensed firearms from his possession, indicating a long-term presence in Australia rather than recent arrival.

Intelligence sources now suggest that Akram’s origins trace to Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, not Pakistan. Security analysts point out that the operational tactics employed during the Sydney attack bear similarities to methods typically associated with Afghan Taliban operations.

The incident highlights the ongoing challenge of terrorism as a global phenomenon, with growing concerns about Afghanistan’s role as a regional hub for extremist activities since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. International security experts have repeatedly warned about the potential for terrorist groups to exploit political instability in Afghanistan.

The false allegations against Pakistan follow a troubling pattern of geopolitical finger-pointing that has characterized regional tensions in South Asia. Pakistan has frequently found itself targeted by misinformation campaigns, particularly during times of heightened regional conflict or international terrorist incidents.

Media analysts note that such rapid attribution of blame without evidence undermines legitimate counter-terrorism efforts and international cooperation necessary to address genuine security threats. The incident underscores the critical importance of fact-checking and responsible reporting in crisis situations when misinformation can exacerbate diplomatic tensions.

Australian authorities continue their investigation into the Sydney attack, focusing on establishing the attackers’ motivations and potential connections to international terrorist networks. Officials have urged media outlets to rely on verified information from official sources rather than speculation or unsubstantiated claims.