The authorities in Tajikistan have blamed a rebel army commander for a series of explosions in the southern town of Kurghan-Tappe on Monday night.

One person was killed in the attacks and several others injured.

An Interior ministry spokesman said four men who are in custody have confessed to planting the bombs on the orders of the renegade commander, Mahmoud Khudoberdiev.

Another five people are being sought.

Mr Khudoberdiev has been in exile since last August after staging a failed coup attempt.

There's been no word from Mr Khudoberdiev.