Unfortunately surrounded by homicidal assassins (4)

I believe the answer is:

alas

'unfortunately' is the definition.
('alas' is used to express regret)

'surrounded by homicidal assassins' is the wordplay.
'surrounded by' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'ALAS' is hidden in the letters of 'homicidal assassins'.

(Other definitions for alas that I've seen before include "Expression of grief or misfortune" , "Proper, respectable" , "Cry of grief" , "More's the pity" , "By bad luck" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.

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