Dewsbury ‘in shock over death of Brit teen suicide bomber’

His family released a statement and said Talha, who went to Syria in April with a friend, had been targeted, befriended, groomed and exploited – and added that the Islamic State does not represent Islam or Muslims in any way, shape, or form.

His family say they are “utterly devastated and heartbroken.”

Although his identity and death have not been officially confirmed the family said photographs showing a youth purportedly named Abu Yusuf Al Britany appear to depict their 17-year-old son.

Asmal fled his home in Dewsbury in March to allegedly join the Islamic State along with his friend Hassan Munshi, also 17.

Read more: Isis jihadi brides 'luring British women to Syria' 

‘Isis – not and never in our name’

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

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

They said he secretly travelled to Iraq against their will via Turkey and fell under the spell of Isis handlers who are “too cowardly to do their own dirty work”.

“We are all naturally utterly devastated and heartbroken by the unspeakable tragedy that now appears to have befallen us,” they said.

“We need time and understanding to come to terms with our unimaginable and painful loss.

“As a family we would like to take this opportunity to unequivocally state that ‘Isis’ are not Islam.

“They do not represent in any way, shape or form Islam and Muslims and we are no longer prepared to allow a barbaric group like ‘Isis’ to hijack our faith.

“‘Isis – not and never in our name.”

Read more: #Jihad: how Isis is using social media to win support

‘Brainwashed’

Shahid Malik, a former government minister and a family friend of the Asmals, described them as “a beautiful, caring, peace-loving and incredibly humble family”.

The former MP for Dewsbury said: “The local community grieves with them today, Ebrahim (the father) and the family’s world has been shattered in the cruellest of ways and one which no family should ever have to experience.

“Talha was a truly sweet-natured, helpful, respectful and friendly kid and it is incredibly difficult to reconcile this Talha with the suicide-bomber at an Iraqi oil installation.

“It is disturbing to see how relaxed he looks in the Isis photographs allegedly taken just prior to his suicide mission.

“He looks at peace. It’s like he’s ready to go and meet his maker. This is a clear indication of just how successful the evil Isis groomers have been in poisoning and brainwashing Talha and kids like him.”

‘Large numbers of British nationals’

West Yorkshire Police released a statement saying they could not officially confirm his death yet and added they were “aware that large numbers of British nationals are travelling to the Middle East for a variety of reasons” and that some of those have come from West Yorkshire.

The family of Mr Asmal urged other people who had concerns about their family members to contact the police as soon as possible.

Assistant Chief Constable Russ Foster said people who travel to Syria and parts of Iraq are likely to witness extreme violence and could become victims of violence themselves.

He said: “We are all working together to help identify vulnerable members of our society and intervene and engage them before it is too late.

“If anyone has concerns that a friend or relative may be vulnerable to radicalisation, expressing extreme views or contemplating travelling to Syria or Iraq, it is vital that we work together to try and prevent that person from travelling.”