»Muslims alarmed after UK police mistakably kill Brazilian«

British Muslim groups said they feared becoming targets of police over-zealousness after police admitted that they shot dead the wrong man in the hunt for London bombers.

Police said plainclothes officers chased the man onto an underground train on Friday, after he ignored warnings to stop, and shot him five times in the head.

Police said they had feared he was carrying a bomb and was about to detonate it.

"This is causing shock and dismay in the Muslim community," said Inayat Bunglawala, spokesman for the Muslim Council of Britain.

"There is enormous anxiety."

He said Britain's 1.6 million Muslims understood the enormous pressure on police to find the four bombers who struck London's public transport, without causing casualties, two weeks after 52 people were killed in bomb attacks on trains and a bus.

He added: "We believe it is absolutely vital that the utmost care is taken to ensure that innocent people are not killed due to over-zealousness."

After the deadly July 7 attacks by four British Muslims, the Muslim community fears a backlash while the police eagerly want its cooperation in their investigations.

Mr Bunglawala said there had been no major backlash so far.

"There was a fairly low level of abuse. That was a tribute to the British people and the great care that police, government ministers and the mayor did to point out repeatedly that the bombings were the work of criminals," he said.

Police confirmed on Saturday the man they shot was a 27-year-old Brazilian.

Massoud Shadjareh of the Islamic Human Rights Commission said: "It doesn't matter if he was a Muslim or not. He was a human being who did not deserve to be assassinated."

He said the killing was the result of British police officers being sent to Israel to receive training on how to prevent suicide bombings.

"This is a recipe for disaster. What sort of police are we going to end up with?" he said.

Police have declined to comment on reports about their training.

The killing, in front of shocked passengers on a packed underground train, triggered speculation that traditionally unarmed British police had adopted a shoot-to-kill policy.

Ahmed Versi, editor of the Muslim News, said: "The way the whole thing was done has raised concern in the Muslim community."

"Young Muslims worry as they fit the target - being Asian-looking and wearing backpacks and coats," he said.

"The police have been praised by the Muslim community since 7/7 for being very sensitive. After this shooting Muslims are now very worried," he said.

"The police will now really have to reassure the community."

Inayat Bunglawala said he was prey to the same suspicions and fears as non-Muslim Britons.

"I was on the Tube (underground railway) when a Muslim chap got on with a short beard and a rucksack. I was standing right in front of him. Even I was concerned. So you can imagine what non-Muslims are feeling."