Jerusalem: A suicide bomber, who blew himself up at Tel Aviv killing three people, and his associate, both British citizens, could be of Indian or Pakistani origin, according to Israeli officials.

"Both of them are British citizens with valid British passports, but as their names suggest they could be of Indian or Pakistani origin," Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yonathan Peled said.

Asif Mohammed Hanif, 21, blew himself up to pieces at a cafe in Tel Aviv on April 30 while his associate Omar Khan Sharif, 27, escaped after his bomb failed to explode.

"However, nothing is certain and we are investigating with the help of British authorities," Peled said.

He clarified, "it is not really important whether they are of Indian or Pakistani origin or from elsewhere, what is important is that they are British citizens and foreigners, and not Palestinians... they could be from anywhere."

Peled said while one of them was born in England, there was no information avaialble till now about another one.

Another Foreign Ministry spokesperson also said, "it is a possibility" that they could be of the sub- continent origin.

"We know that they had British passports and they are Muslims, and further investigations are on," the spokesperson said, adding Israeli government was taking the help of British government and further details were expected soon.

The suicide bomber and his associate came to Israel from Britain, then went to the Gaza Strip and entered Israel from Gaza just hours before the attack, Israeli media reported quoting police.

PTI