At least four civilians have been killed in a suicide bombing near the Afghanistan Parliament and the Russian embassy in Kabul during the evening rush hour on Wednesday, a health ministry spokesman said. At least 20 other people were wounded in the attack, including women and children, the spokesman added.

The police said the target of the attack on Darulaman Road remained unclear, reported Reuters, while a Russian Foreign Ministry official said the attack was not directed at its embassy. There were no immediate claim of responsibility.

The incident occurred more than two weeks after three terrorists attacked the Indian Consulate in the northern Afghan city of Mazar-e-Sharif. Since the start of the new year, at least six bomb attacks have been reported in Kabul. The attacks have coincided with renewed efforts to revive the Afghan government's peace process with the Taliban, reported Reuters.