Three foreigners were among the seven killed on Monday in a series of bomb blasts targeting the U. S. consulate in northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar, police said.

The cloud of smoke rises over the scene of an explosion in Peshawar, the capital of the restive North West Frontier Province (NWFP) in Pakistan, April 5, 2010. Three foreigners were among the seven killed on Monday in a series of bomb blasts targeting the U. S. consulate in northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar, police said. [Saeed Ahmad/Xinhua]

A group of suicide bombers attacked the American consulate and killed two Pakistani security guards, one policeman, one civilian and three foreigners, police said. But they did not confirm the nationality of the foreigners.

Sources said that at least another four personnel of an American security company, who were guarding the consulate, were also injured.

The outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying they will launch more guerrilla wars.

The bombers, who came in two cars near the consulate gate, fired two mortars at the consulate building and fired with automatic guns and then detonated their explosive-packed vehicles.

Witnesses said that the attacks damaged parts of the highly- guarded American consulate in Peshawar, the capital of North West Frontier Province (NWFP).

The U.S embassy spokesman in Islamabad said that the American consulate came under attack but said he has not received complete information so far.

Senior NWFP Minister Bashir Bilour said that a policeman and a security personnel from the Frontier Constabulary were killed in the attack. He said bodies of four attackers were also found. He said two suicide jackets were also recovered.

The army spokesman said two other attackers were killed and the whole area was clear.