Two bombs explode near Pakistani paramilitary base, killing at least 69

Two bomb blasts outside a Pakistani paramilitary base killed at least 69 people near the city of Charsadda on Friday in what appeared to be the first major militant attack in the country since the killing of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

The target of the attack apparently was a group of recruits for the Frontier Constabulary paramilitary force, which provides security in Pakistan's volatile northwest, where several militant groups maintain strongholds, local authorities said, Los Angeles Times reports.

"This was the first revenge for Osama's martyrdom. Wait for bigger attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan," spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan said by telephone, according to the news service.

Police said at least one of the blasts was a suicide bombing. After a motorcyclist detonated his explosives outside the training center, hundreds of recruits poured out into the street, and another explosive occurred within minutes, killing scores more, a top Frontier Constabulary official told reporters. Of those killed, 56 were cadets who had just finished their course, he said.

The bombings also killed civilians and other security officials, Khan said. More than 115 people were wounded, Pakistani media reported, citing hospital officials, Washington Post informs.