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Investigators work at the scene following a mass shooting at the Pulse gay nightclub in Orlando Florida, US, on Sunday. — Daily Mail

ORLANDO. — US anti-terror strategy came under fresh scrutiny after a gunman previously cleared of jihadist ties launched a hate-fuelled rampage in a Florida gay club that left 49 people dead.

The Islamic State (IS) group has claimed it was behind Sunday’s carnage at the Pulse nightclub, the worst mass shooting in modern US history.

It said in a radio bulletin yesterday that the attack on the “crusader gathering” was carried out by “one of the soldiers of the caliphate”.

World leaders joined in condemning the murderous assault, which triggered grief and shock but also defiance in the gay and lesbian community as monuments from New York to Paris were being lit up in memory of the victims.

African Union commission chair Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma also added her voice saying she is committed to continue working with the US, and the international community in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

In her condolence message to US President Barack Obama, the people of the US and the families and relatives of victims, she said, “The AU Commission Chairperson has condemned, in the strongest terms, these despicable and barbaric acts, which are one of the worst in the US history.”

Wishing a speedy recovery to the wounded victims of the Orlando attacks, the AUC Chairperson reassured the people of the US of the AU’s solidarity and full support at this difficult time.

She further reaffirmed the AU’s strong rejection of all acts of terrorism and violent extremism.

“AU is committed to continue working with the US, and the international community at large, in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism,” she said.

Terrified survivors described how the gunman raked club-goers with bullets, prompting a police SWAT team to storm the venue and shoot dead the attacker, identified as 29-year-old Omar Mateen.

The FBI admitted that Mateen had previously been investigated — but cleared — for ties to a US suicide bomber.

Special Agent Ronald Hopper also said Mateen was reported to have made a 911 call pledging allegiance to IS shortly before the massacre.

“We know enough to say that this was an act of terror and an act of hate,” President Obama said. The Orlando assault is being treated as the worst act of terror on US soil since the September 11, 2001 attacks claimed by Al-Qaeda.

Yesterday’s claim on Al-Bayan radio followed a report by the IS-linked news agency Amaq on Sunday that the attack had been “carried out by an Islamic fighter”.

Mateen was born to Afghan parents in New York in 1986 and lived in Port St Lucie, Florida, about a two-hour drive from Orlando. — AFP/Agencies.