A suicide bomber has detonated a vehicle packed with explosives outside the house of a senior police official in Pakistan's southern city of Karachi, killing at least 8 people.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for Monday's attack, which killed six police officers guarding the police official's house. A woman and child were also killed in the blast.

The target of the bombing, Senior Superintendent of Police Chaudhry Aslam, survived the attack. Aslam heads the counter-terrorism unit in Karachi, which investigates militant groups.

The senior police official told reporters he has received threats from Pakistani Taliban in the past and will not be deterred by Monday's “cowardly act.” Aslam added that he is not scared of the Taliban and that he will “teach them a lesson.”

The Pakistani Taliban said the group targeted Aslam because he had detained and killed many of its fighters.

Taliban spokesman Ahsanullah Ahsan said the militant group will “continue targeting” officers who are “involved in the killing of our comrades.” Ahsan told AFP that Aslam is still on “our hit list.”

Monday's explosion caused extensive damage to Aslam's house and neighboring buildings. The blast left a large crater outside his home. Cement blocks, car parts, and other debris were strewn at the scene.