An ethnic Pole who converted to Islam in Germany and joined the Islamic State has been killed in clashes with Kurds in Iraq, German paper Die Welt has claimed.

Maksymilian R., who was largely brought up in Bonn by his immigrant parents, was apparently found dead in Kirkuk, northern Iraq.

A photograph of the body of a blond-haired militant, purportedly 20-year-old Maksymilian R., was cited as evidence by Die Welt.

German security services have claimed that it is indeed the body of the 20-year-old.

Last week Kurds launched a counter-offensive in the region against the Islamic State. Dozens of Islamic militants were killed in the clashes.

Maksymilian R.'s older sister Karolina R., went on trial in Dusseldorf last month on charges of supporting terrorism.

It has been claimed that both siblings went to Syria in 2013.

If Die Welt's findings are correct, Maksymilian R. is the first ethnic Pole to have died while fighting for the Islamic State.

Meanwhile, Poland has announced that it will be broadening its operations against the militants, although combat actions have been ruled out. (nh)