Stabbed A-level student becomes London's 21st murdered teenager this year

Rizwan Darbar, 17, was knifed in the stomach in the confrontation in a park.

The devout Muslim, of Indian origin, died in hospital despite emergency surgery.

Scroll down for more...

Last night, as police searched for three youths, his devastated father spoke of his "lovely, respectful lad".

The murder in East London on Sunday was the 21st knife or gun killing of a teenager in the city this year.

Rizwan and two friends had been sitting in West Ham Park, Forest Gate, listening to music on a mobile phone, when the three yobs approached and demanded the handset and money.

When Rizwan began arguing, one of the trio - who was wearing a hoodie - stabbed him.

His father Ayub, 47, a launderette owner from Forest Gate, said: "Rizwan has never been in any trouble. He was a lovely, respectful lad and a very courageous guy.

"He was a devout Muslim who was fasting and praying at his local mosque every evening for Ramadan.

"He was born during Ramadan in 1990 and now he has died during Ramadan too.'

He said his son, a part-time shop assistant, was a keen cricketer who had practised with the father of former England captain Nasser Hussain.

Rizwan's brother Tausif, 19, was at his side as he was taken to hospital.

He said: "My mum phoned me at about 6pm and said Rizwan's been hurt. I was in a car and quite close by.

"I went straight to the park. I saw the ambulance and they were just >putting him into it so I got in the back with him.

"He was conscious but he was in a lot of pain. They'd given him morphine. He didn't talk much but he was able to recognise who I was. I was just holding his hand until we got to the hospital.

"I stayed with him until we got to the operating theatre but they would not let me in."

Tausif said his brother had gone for a walk because he was bored.

He said: "They were waiting for other friends to turn up. These three black boys asked them to give them their phones and their money.

"But they think Rizwan objected. The guys who attacked him ran off and Rizwan's mates chased them. But when they saw Rizwan was on the ground they went back and called the ambulance and police.'

He said his brother was an avid West Ham United fan who loved music and "hanging around" with his friends.

He had been studying accounting, finance and business studies and was planning to go to university to study economics.

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Horne, leading the investigation, said Rizwan "had done nothing whatsoever that would explain that level of violence".

He said: "At the moment it appears this was an unprovoked robbery with gratuitous violence.

"The guys were reasonable lads doing nothing other than listening to music. The victim had very little warning. Our advice is always to hand over the phone."

Detectives are examining possible links to another incident in the park last week.

They are also checking for similarities to the murder of 15-year-old Adam Regis, nephew of Olympic medallist John Regis, who was stabbed nearby in March.

The youth believed to have stabbed Rizwan is said to be of mixed race, aged around 18 and about 5ft 8in.

His two companions were black.

One was described as around 18, between 5ft 10in and 6ft 1in and wearing a blue or black top and jeans.

The second was "noticeably" darker-skinned, smaller and wearing a black hooded jacket and dark trousers.

Rizwan's death sparked a wave of crisis meetings at Scotland Yard, where detectives are trying to clamp down on the escalating knife problem.

Officers say they face an uphill struggle because many youngsters carry blades for protection or as a "fashion accessory".

Anyone with any information should call the incident room on 020 8345 3775 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.