Twin attacks at a restaurant and a police checkpoint on a highway near southern Iraq’s Nasiriyah city have killed at least 50 people and injured 87. The Islamic State group has said that it carried out the attack, BBC reported.

Abdel Hussein al-Jabri, the Deputy Health Chief of Dhiqar, which is also called Thi Qar, said that the toll could rise as many of those who are wounded are in a serious condition, AFP reported. Nasiriyah is the capital of Dhiqar, which is about 320 km from Baghdad.

The attackers were disguised as members of the Hashed al-Shaabi, a mainly Shia group that has helped Iraq fight against the Islamic State, security forces personnel said.

Many of the dead are suspected to include Iranian pilgrims as the area is usually used by Shiites from the neighbouring country travelling to holy cities.

The province’s Governor, Yahya al-Nassiri, said that initially, the attackers opened fire at the checkpoint and the restaurant located on the highway that links Baghdad with other provinces, AP reported. Then, the suicide bombers attacked. One of them was driving a car that was full of explosives, al-Nassiri said.