Talha Asmal: teen 'becomes Britain's youngest suicide bomber'

Relatives of a British teenager who reportedly carried out a suicide attack in Iraq has said they are "utterly devastated and heartbroken by the unspeakable tragedy".

Talha Asmal, a 17-year old from Dewsbury, is believed to have detonated a vehicle fitted with explosives near a major oil refinery in the northern Iraqi town of Baiji. At least 11 people are reported to have died in the attack.

If confirmed, Asmal would become Britain's youngest suicide bomber. Hassib Hussein, another teenager from West Yorkshire, was 18 when he detonated a bomb on a London bus in the 7/7 attacks on the capital.

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The teenager fled his home at the end of March with friend Hassan Munshi, who was also 17 at the time. He reportedly travelled to Iraq via Turkey before joining Islamic State.

His parents said he came "from a close-knit, hard-working, peace-loving and law-abiding British Muslim family" which "condemns and abhors all acts of violence wherever perpetrated".

They said Asmal had never exhibited any violent, extreme or radical views and that his "tender years and naivety" were exploited by jihadists who "targeted and befriended Talha and engaged in a process of deliberate and calculated grooming of him."

Asmal's former principal at Mirfield Free Grammar and Sixth Form told The Times he was a "conscientious student" and a "very quiet and private" boy who never drew attention to himself. Lorraine Barker said the staff and students were in complete shock when Asmal left for Iraq earlier this year.

His family added that IS did not represent Islam or Muslims "in any way, shape or form" and urged others who fear their relatives might be becoming radicalised to contact the authorities.

West Yorkshire Police said they were aware of the claims, but said Asmal's identity had not been officially confirmed. Authorities believe at least 700 Britons have travelled to the region to join IS and other extremist organisations, the BBC reports.

Shahid Malik, former MP for Dewsbury and a family friend of the Asmals, said it was "disturbing" to see how relaxed the teenager appeared in photographs published by IS reportedly taken just before the attack. In one of the images, Asmal is seen smiling and giving the Islamic State one finger salute.

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