Dakar, Senegal: Gunmen killed at least six people at a Catholic church in the West African nation of Burkina Faso on Sunday and then torched the worship space, town officials told local reporters.

Smoke can be seen rising in the distance from an Islamic extremist attack in 2018. Credit:AP

The attack during morning Mass occurred in the country's restive north, where militants linked to the Islamic State and al-Qaeda have recently gained ground.

A priest was among those killed.

Militants also set ablaze nearby shops and a medical clinic, according to the BBC.