Bomber kills 35 at military base

A suicide bomber posing as an army volunteer struck at an Afghan military recruitment centre in the northern province of Kunduz yesterday, killing at least 35 people.

It was the second deadly attack on the center in three months but the crowd of young men lined up for service were among many Afghans eager for a rare steady paycheck despite the danger from militants targeting security forces, recruiting centers and government officials. Four children were among the dead and at least 42 people were wounded, said Muhbobullah Sayedi and Hamdullah Danishi, both provincial officials.

A 35 percent unemployment rate and an average military salary of $170 a month is still enough to persuade volunteers, when the average Afghan wage is about $60-$100 a month.

Monday's attack was also the second suicide bombing in five days in Kunduz, where al-Qa'ida, the Taliban and numerous other militant groups, including one from neighboring Uzbekistan, have increased their presence. Violence in recent months has shifted away from Afghanistan's south, where the US-led coalition has poured thousands more troops.