The Islamic State (IS) militant group has released a propaganda video, which shows a former British school student appealing to Muslims in the United Kingdom to follow in his footsteps and become suicide bombers.
Fatlum Shalaku (20), who attended Holland Park School, says in the video: “These are my last words to you,” before he gets into an armoured vehicle filled with explosives and sets off on his deadly mission in Iraq.
Wearing a balaclava and sounding pensive, Shalaku said: “The best of the mujaheddin [holy warriors] and the best of the shahadah [martyrs] are the ones on the frontlines of battle.”
‘Paradise awaits’
“They are running towards the enemy, looking to be killed and to kill. They do not look left or right and they fly to the highest chambers of jannah [paradise],” he said.
Shalaku, once nicknamed “the socialist Eton,” was part of a team of six suicide bombers that drove into government buildings in Ramadi in May, allowing the IS to seize the city, The Sunday Times reported. His final words are featured in an hour-long propaganda video about the offensive.
Hugs fighters one last time
After making his speech on camera, Shalaku is shown embracing a succession of fighters before heading to his death. An explosion is seen on the horizon in the next scene.
Shalaku’s older brother Flamur (23) reportedly died on the battlefield in Iraq in March.
According to the newspaper, the siblings are among at least five former Holland Park pupils killed fighting with the IS.
Published - October 11, 2015 04:16 pm IST
