A statement by the militant group posted on an IS-linked website on Sunday says that a Pakistani IS fighter seeking martyrdom targeted a large Shi'ite gathering in Kabul on Saturday night.

The IS affiliate claimed that after the suicide bombing, a car bomb was also detonated in the attack.

The Taliban had denied responsibility for the attack.

Afghan officials say that nearly 200 people were wounded in the blast in a western Kabul neighbourhood that's home to many in the minority Shi'ites Hazara community.

Survivors say the bomber was standing by a stage where children and others had gathered when he detonated his explosives vest.

IS has claimed responsibility for many deadly attacks against the Hazara community since the militant group emerged in Afghanistan in 2014.

Australian Associated Press