Pakistani Taliban spokesman Azam Tariq told that the Taliban carried out the attack, which police say targeted building that housed a Crime Investigation Department facility. 

Pakistani security forces have been battling the group in the country's tribal region, which borders Afghanistan. 

The blast occurred in a high-security area, near government buildings and major hotels, such as the Pearl Continental and the Sheraton. The US consulate is in the general vicinity but was not considered the target. 

A Pakistani government official told that about five gunmen on foot cleared the way for the suicide car bomber by firing on security personnel manning a security check post.

Once the vehicle cleared the check post it raced toward the police facility and rammed into the building.