Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a Christian church in Quetta, southwestern Pakistan that killed eight people and injured at least 16 others, according to the Amaq news agency.
The same statement states that two Islamic State suicide bombers carried out the attack but did not provide any evidence to support the claim.
Abdul Razak Sema, a senior police officer in Quetta, the capital of the highly volatile province of Balochistan, said the two suicide bombers had stormed the local Methodist Church just as Sunday services were just beginning.
According to officials, the perpetrators wore explosive vests and opened fire on worshipers inside the church.
Usually, about 250 believers attend the Sunday service but during the Christmas season, many more believers attend.