Family anguish at death of teenage IS fighter

THE family of a British teenager reportedly killed while fighting for Islamic State (IS) in Iraq said they had been left “utterly devastated and heartbroken by the unspeakable tragedy” and those who sent him to his death had preyed on his “innocence and vulnerability”.

Talha Asmal, who reportedly became Britain’s youngest suicide bomber when he detonated a vehicle fitted with explosives, has been described as “a loving, kind, caring and affable teenager”, who never harboured any ill will against anybody.

His family said, despite his death not being officially confirmed, photographs showing a youth purportedly named Abu Yusuf Al Britany appear to depict their 17-yearold son.

The teenager fled his home in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, in March to allegedly join Isis along with his friend Hassan Munshi, who was also 17.

The family said he came “from a close-knit, hardworking, peace-loving and law-abiding British Muslim family” who unreservedly “condemn and abhor all acts of violence wherever perpetrated”.

They said that, despite him never exhibiting any extreme or radical views, he had been exploited by extremists on the internet “in a process of deliberate and calculated grooming of him”.

West Yorkshire Police said they were unable to confirm the identity of the person who had died but were continuing to support families who have loved ones believed to have travelled to Iraq and Syria.

A statement said: “The identity of the person who has reportedly died has not been confirmed at this time and we are unable to comment further.”