At least ten soldiers have been killed in northern Tajikistan after a group of about one-thousand rebels attacked government buildings in the northern region of Leninabad.

The rebels are reported to be in control of several parts of the regional capital, Khojand, and the government has sent reinforcements to the area.

In a statement to the BBC, the rebels said they wanted fresh elections to be held and for the government to set up a provisional council made up of representatives from all parts of Tajikistan to rule the country in the interim.

The government has accused the rebels of trying to overthrow the constitution and called for their immediate surrender.