Islamabad , Pakistan ( CNN ) -- A school bus loaded with children came under rocket and small arms fire near Peshawar Tuesday , killing the driver and three children and injuring 16 others , police said . The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan group claimed responsibility for the attack , according to the group 's regional spokesman , Mohammad Talha , who said it was in response to growing support for local resistance groups against the Taliban in the region . Attackers fired a rocket at the bus and then opened fire . Three of the wounded children have serious injuries , according to Rahim Jan Afridi , chief executive at Lady Reading Hospital . The attack lasted about three minutes , said Naeem Khan , a teacher accompanying the students . Similar attacks have occurred recently in the area , as locals have put up resistance to the Taliban , said Sajjad Khan , a local police official . Talha said attacks on civilian targets would continue until residents end their resistance to the Taliban . CNN 's Aliza Kassim and journalists Shaan Khan and Saboor Khattak contributed to this report .
Taliban : A Taliban group claims responsibility for a school bomb attack near Peshawar . NEW : Four died in the attack , 16 were wounded . Police : Similar attacks have occurred recently as police have resisted the attacks .