Islamic State group claims deadly Pakistan suicide bombing

The Islamic State group on Monday claimed responsibility for a bombing attack that has killed dozens in Pakistan, in a statement issued on the jihadists' news arm Amaq.

"A suicide attacker from the Islamic State... detonated his explosive jacket in the middle of a crowd" in northwestern Pakistani town of Khar, the statement said.

Police said at least 54 people were killed in the attack that targeted a gathering of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F) party, a key government coalition partner led by a firebrand cleric.