BAGHDAD: Iraqi police officials say at least 35 people were killed in a mortar attack on villages around the provincial capital of the country's eastern Diyala province.

A police official from the city of Baquba told The Associated Press that at least 35 civilians were killed late Friday when the mortars landed on their villages in the nearby suburbs.

At least 45 people were wounded in the attack.

The official did not speculate on who may be responsible for the attack, but the self-styled Islamic State (IS) militant group has claimed responsibility for several recent attacks in the volatile province.

Hospital officials corroborated the casualties. Both spoke on the condition of anonymity because they are not authorised to brief media.

United States-led forces started bombing IS targets in Iraq in August and Washington expanded the campaign to Syria in an effort to defeat the insurgents who have swept through parts of both Iraq and Syria.

Read: Wave of attacks kills 35 in Baghdad