Afghanistan attacks target army bases, killing 13

Suicide attacks have targeted Afghan armed bases in two cities, leaving 13 members of the security forces dead, along with at least five assailants. In the northern city of Kunduz, suicide bombers stormed an army recruitment centre, sparking a long gun battle. On the outskirts of Kabul, attackers ambushed an army bus outside the country's main recruitment center.

Shaking hearts

The recruitment centre in Kunduz is situated in the heart of the city, about 100m (330 feet) from the police chief's office and key government buildings. Questions will be asked as to how the attackers managed to get past many police checkpoints on the outskirts of the city, says the BBC's Bilal Sarwary in Kabul. Kunduz, once a relatively quiet part of the country, is becoming much more unstable. Afghan and American forces have killed dozen of Taliban commanders in recent weeks in the province.