Islamabad  - At least seven police officers and a civilian were killed Saturday in a car bombing in north-western Pakistan, a local police official said.

"An anonymous caller informed the police that a suspect car was parked in the Badh Pir area on the outskirts of Peshawar with a dead body inside, but it was a trap," Ghulam Mohammad said. "When our officers approached the car, it blew up."

"Seven policemen were martyred," he said. "A passer-by also died. It is not clear whether it was a suicide bombing or remote-controlled blast."

Several people were also injured in the explosion, Mohammad said. (dpa)