Pakistani police say a suicide bomber has detonated a vehicle packed with explosives outside the house of a senior police official in Karachi, killing at least 8 people.

Officials say six of the eight killed were police officers who were guarding the police official's residence.

The targeted official, Chaudry Aslam, survived Monday's attack. He blamed militants for the blast.

A purported spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the blast in a call to the Associated Press.

Authorities say the explosion left a large crater outside Aslam's house.

Aslam is responsible for investigating militant groups in Karachi.