• Incidents rising along 1,350-kilometre Tajik-Afghan border.
• Attacks have killed guards, Chinese workers.
• Tajikistan urges Taliban curb cross-border militancy.

Tajikistan officials on Sunday said they “neutralised” four “terrorists” who crossed over from neighbouring Afghanistan in an area where deadly incidents have been on the rise in recent weeks, state media reported.

Tajikistan, in Central Asia, shares a mountainous border with Afghanistan and has had tense relations with the Afghan Taliban regime.

According to Tajik security services cited by the state-owned Khovar news agency, “four terrorists were neutralised” after they refused to put down arms in the southern Khatlon region.

Tajik authorities have reported at least five deadly incidents on the mountainous border, which is some 1,350 kilometres (840 miles) long, since November.

An AFP count using official data found that 16 people have been killed in total.

These include Tajik border guards, Chinese workers and what Dushanbe calls “smugglers” and “terrorists”.

After attacks on Chinese nationals in November, Tajik authorities urged the Afghan Taliban regime to take measures to prevent destabilisation of the volatile border region, where drug traffickers and militant groups are active.

Unlike other Central Asian leaders who are strengthening ties with the Taliban, Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon — in power since 1992 — openly criticises Afghanistan’s authorities.

He has urged the Taliban to respect the rights of ethnic Tajiks, estimated to represent around a quarter of Afghanistan´s population.

But Tajikistan is also taking steps towards cooperation with Kabul, through electricity supplies, the opening of border markets and meetings between Taliban and local Tajik officials.

Relations between the two nations took a hit after five Chinese nationals were killed, and several were wounded in two separate attacks along Tajikistan’s border with Afghanistan in late November and early December.

According to a UN report in December, a militant group, Jamaat Ansarullah, “has fighters spread across different regions of Afghanistan” with a primary goal “to destabilise the situation in Tajikistan.”

Dushanbe has previously voiced concerns about the presence in Afghanistan of members of Daesh in Khorasan.

Roger Waters is once again facing backlash after making harsh comments about the late Ozzy Osbourne, upsetting Osbourne family all over again.

The former Pink Floyd musician shocked many fans when he spoke bluntly about Ozzy right after the rock legend passed away.

However, his comments quickly caused anger, especially among Ozzy’s loved ones.

The late icon’s son Jack Osbourne lashed out strongly and called Roger “pathetic and out of touch.”

Sharon Osbourne, who is still grieving over her husband death, did not hold back either, saying: “He has no charisma, he looks like Frankenstein.

The guy is sick in the head, he is not relevant in today’s world. Nobody likes him.”

Now, Roger has been asked if he feels any regret and instead of apologising, he made it clear he is not backing down.

While speaking to Piers Morgan, the 82 year old said, “Those comments, I’m not denying that I said them, came in the middle of a long interview.”

He added, “Do I have to like every rock group that ever was or people who bite the heads off bats?”

When pushed on if he would say sorry, Roger didnt like the idea and again criticised Sharon, saying that he has no time for her.

Moreover, his tone changed slightly when speaking about Jack, adding, “If he wants to have a chat, I’ll have a chat with him. And I won’t be nasty to him.”

The viral situation has triggered fresh debate online with many fans feeling that the comments were very unnecessary and made during a loss time.

Claudia Winkleman exuded power couple vibes as she was spotted with her husband, Kris Thykier for a date night at swanky French Mediterranean restaurant Maset in Marylebone, London on Friday. 

The Traitors host, 54, sensation put on a united front with her rarely-seen partner, 54, appearing in high spirits after celebrating her 54th birthday with a intimate meal.

For the occasion, Claudia looked stunning in a black high-collar cape coat, teamed with fitted black leggings that displayed her slim figure.

She completed her gorgeous look with black leather knee-high boots, accessorising her look with statement blue fingerless gloves.

The TV star looked radiant, flashing a broad smile for the cameras as the couple made their way to a waiting taxi.

Meanwhile, her film producer husband looked sharp in a black suit, paired with a crisp white shirt and a smart blue tie.

Claudia met her husband through mutual friends in 2000, and they married later that year.

They keep their relationship out of the spotlight, but they have been married for over two decades, sharing three children and working in the entertainment industry.

The date night out comes just a day after Claudia celebrated turning 54 with Jools Holland and singer Mika, and shared an update on Instagram.