[attach id="433995" size="medium"]A handout photo of Talha Asmal, 17, from the family of the British teenager reportedly killed while fighting for Isis in Iraq. Photo: PA Wire[/attach]

The family of a British teenager reportedly killed while fighting for Isis 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.

In a statement released yesterday, 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-year-old 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, hard-working, peace-loving and law-abiding British Muslim family” who unreservedly “condemns and abhors all acts of violence wherever perpetrated”.

They said 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”.

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

He has been exploited by extremists on the internet in a process of deliberate and calculated grooming

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

“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.

The family of Asmal but urged other people who had concerns about their family members to contact the police.

“As a family we would urge anyone who has any concerns about their own family members being exploited in a similar way to seek the help and advice of 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: “As part of the Prevent initiative West Yorkshire Police is committed to working with communities and local authorities, to highlight the dangers associated with radicalisation and travel to regions such as Syria and Iraq.

“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.”