The first major bombing in Pakistan since bin Laden's death on May 2, it will reinforce the common view that his elimination will not ease violence because al Qaeda is not centralized and will keep inspiring groups, like the Pakistani Taliban, which are scattered globally and loosely bound by ideology.

The bomber struck soon after dawn as the recruits were on their way out of the gates of the Frontier Constabulary academy in the town of Charsadda on leave.

"It was a suicide bombing," said Nisar Sarwat, police chief of Charsadda, a market town surrounded by wheat fields 135 km (85 miles) from the capital Islamabad.

One of the suicide bombers was on a motorcycle and police were investigating reports that the other attacker was too, he said.

Of the dead, 65 were recruits. Sixty people were wounded.