Entertainment
Tajikistan says four terrorists neutralised in latest incident on Afghan border
- 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.
Pakistan is expected to reassess its participation in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India-Sri Lanka, following increasing concerns related to the Bangladesh cricket team, sources told Geo News.
The Bangladesh government has reached out to Pakistan for support over its decision to skip travelling to India for the tournament, citing security concerns, sources said.
They added that Pakistan supports Bangladesh’s legitimate concerns, emphasising that they should be addressed and acted upon.
Pakistan has also stressed that no country should face pressure or threats from India, assuring Bangladesh of its full support on the matter.
On January 11, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expressed its willingness to host Bangladesh’s matches in the T20 World Cup after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) decided against travelling to India over security concerns.
PCB sources confirmed that Pakistan formally communicated its interest in hosting Bangladesh’s fixtures should venues in Sri Lanka be unavailable.
They added that all Pakistani venues are fully prepared to stage World Cup matches and highlighted Pakistan’s successful hosting of major ICC events, including the Champions Trophy 2025, and the ICC Women’s Qualifier.
Meanwhile, in another development, Cricket Ireland (CI) clarified that the International Cricket Council (ICC) will not move Ireland’s group-stage matches out of Sri Lanka, dismissing reports of a possible group swap with Bangladesh.
This follows claims that the BCB had requested a group exchange due to concerns over travelling to India.
“We’ve received definitive assurances that we won’t move from the original schedule. We’re definitely playing the group stage in Sri Lanka,” a Cricket Ireland official confirmed.
Under the current schedule, Bangladesh are in Group B with West Indies, England, Nepal, and Italy, playing their matches in Kolkata and Mumbai. Ireland is in Group C alongside co-hosts Sri Lanka, Australia, Zimbabwe, and Oman, with all fixtures in Sri Lanka.
The BCB reportedly discussed the possibility of a group swap with ICC officials in Dhaka on Saturday to minimise logistical challenges, though the proposal received little support from the ICC or Cricket Ireland.
According to the current schedule, Bangladesh will play their first three group matches in Kolkata — against West Indies on February 7, Italy on February 9, and England on February 14 — before concluding against Nepal in Mumbai on February 17.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to take place in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.
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.
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