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 Monday were police officers who were guarding the police official's residence. Authorities say a woman and a child were also killed in the explosion.

The targeted police official, Chaudry Aslam, survived Monday's attack.

Aslam is responsible for investigating militant groups in Karachi. He says he has received threats from Pakistani Taliban insurgents.

Aslam says he is “not scared” of the Taliban. He described Monday's attack, as “a cowardly act.”

Pakistan's Taliban claimed responsibility for the bombing, saying Aslam had arrested and killed many of its fighters.

A Taliban spokesman said the group will “continue targeting” officers who are “involved in the killing of our comrades.”

The explosion left a large crater outside Aslam's house.