At least three people have been killed and five others wounded in the latest bomb attack in Pakistan's northwest, according to police.

The explosion occurred at a police checkpoint on the loop, surrounding Peshawar city on Monday.

"Three people were killed, five wounded," police official Mohammad Karim told AFP.

In an earlier attack on Sunday, a blast in Peshawar killed at least 17 people and wounded 44 others. One of those killed was a local mayor.

The Taliban, who have claimed responsibility for Sunday's incident, call the attack an act of vengeance in response to Mayor Abdul Malik's efforts to fight them.

The militants have launched a series of attacks in recent weeks in retaliation for a major offensive by security forces on their strongholds in South Waziristan.

More than 2,450 people have lost their lives in attacks and bombings across Pakistan since July 2007.

AGB/TG/DT