Bomber attacks Pakistani judges' vehicle, kills driver

Feb. 15 (UPI) -- A suicide bomber attacked a van carrying judges in Peshawar, Pakistan, killing the driver and injuring six others Wednesday, officials said.

An attacker on a motorcycle struck the front of the vehicle and exploded, authorities said. Four judges and two others were hurt, and were taken to Hayatabad Medical Complex in Peshawar.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

"The man who carried out the suicide attack was the brave warrior Sabir Swati," the group said in a statement. "Remember that the Pakistani judiciary and those [...] who work for it are an obstacle to the imposition of an Islamic system."

Earlier Wednesday, a suicide bombing, claimed by the Pakistani Taliban Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, killed three police officers and two passers-by in the administrative headquarters of a tribal region in northwestern Pakistan, officials said. The explosion was at the main gate of the tribal headquarters in Ghalanai, in the Mohmand tribal region, said Hameedullah Khan, a local government official.

In Peshawar, windows of several houses were damaged in the incident.

Muhammad Tahir, Peshawar's police chief, said at least at least 33 pounds of explosives were used in this attack."

"We have found body parts of the bomber as well as his motorcycle, which hit the van," senior police official Sajjad Ahmed told the media. "We have started a search operation, we will be able to share more information after it is completed."

The blast occurred as officials from the provincial government were expected to inaugurate the outpatient wing of Hayatabad hospital.

On Monday, at least 11 people died, including senior police officers, when a suicide bomber attacked during a protest in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore, officials said.