Islamabad , Pakistan ( CNN ) -- A suicide attack by the Pakistani Taliban on the compound of an enemy militant commander in northwest Pakistan killed at least 17 people and wounded 22 others Thursday , authorities said . The attack took place at the compound of Mullah Nabi Hanfi , who had been supporting government forces fighting against the Taliban , in Orakzai Agency , one of seven volatile semi-autonomous tribal districts near the Afghan border . Local police official Shaukat Ali Shah said the Taliban attackers had driven an explosive-laden vehicle at the compound early Thursday , causing large-scale damage . It was n't immediately clear whether Hanfi had been hurt in the attack or how many of his fighters were among those killed . At least one woman and one child were reported to be among the dead , Shaukat said . Security forces sealed off the area after the attack and the wounded were taken to local hospitals as reports of another possible suicide attack were received . Hanfi turned against the Pakistani Taliban after developing differences with its leadership and formed his own group . Since parting ways , both groups have frequently targeted each other . Pakistani Taliban spokesman Shaidulalh Shaid claimed responsibility for the attack , saying anyone who opposes to the group 's ideology and fights against it would be on its hit list . The area where the Thursday attack took place , on the border of Orakzai Agency and Hangu District , is off limits for police and other government law enforcement agencies . Witness to blast : 'Women and children were burning ' Taliban bomb kills top Pakistani general , officers .
The attack strikes the compound of Mullah Nabi Hanfi . He and his group have supported government forces against the Pakistani Taliban . It was n't immediately clear if Hanfi was hurt in the blast . The attack took place in a lawless area of northwestern Pakistan .