Indian-origin Briton confirmed dead in Kenya terror attack

Image
Press Trust of India London
Last Updated : Sep 28 2013 | 9:40 PM IST
An Indian-origin Briton was among those killed in the terror attack on a Kenyan mall after he offered himself as hostage to Islmaist militants to save young children.
Mitul Shah, 38, reportedly offered himself as hostage to the terrorists to facilitate the escape of young children taking part in a TV cooking competition at the Westgate mall that was stormed by Al Shabab militants.
The Foreign Office today confirmed six Britons, including Shah, were among the 72 people known to have been killed in the four-day attack. It said it cannot rule out the possibility of further casualties.
"Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time," a Foreign Office spokesperson said.
Shah, the London-born sales and marketing executive of Kenyan cooking oil firm Bidco Oil, was in charge of his company-sponsored food event and was killed on Saturday, the first day of the atrocity in Nairobi.
Dipak Shah, a director of the company, said colleagues were feeling a "profound sense of loss" and offering their sympathies to his wife Rupal and two-year-old daughter Sarai.
"We are in constant contact with them. They are devastated, as are we all. He was there with the kids, as a representative as we were a sponsor of the programme," he told the 'Evening Standard' from Nairobi.
"He was trying to negotiate the freedom of the children in order for him to be taken as a hostage. Some had managed to save their lives but unfortunately he, and others, did not.
"It was a heroic and brave act - a true reflection of his soul. He was a wonderful person who always went out of his way, beyond the call of duty, to help others," he added.
Forensic experts have been combing the complex, looking for bodies and clues, since the siege ended on Tuesday.
Eleven people have been arrested in connection with the attack, which the Al Qaeda-linked Somali group has claimed responsibility for.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Sep 28 2013 | 9:40 PM IST

Next Story