Russia’s RIA news agency earlier on Monday cited Uzbekistan’s defence ministry as saying the pilot had ejected and was injured.
TERMEZ (Surkhondaryo, Uzbekistan), Aug 16 (NNN-AGENCIES) — An Afghan military plane has crashed in Uzbekistan, the Central Asian country’s defence ministry said on Monday, confirming earlier reports.
“The military plane illegally crossed the border of Uzbekistan. An investigation is under way,” ministry spokesman Bakhrom Zulfikarov said, confirming Uzbek media reports of a crash taking place late Sunday in Uzbekistan’s southern province of Surkhondaryo, which borders Afghanistan.
The Afghan government collapsed on Sunday and the Taliban insurgents took control of the capital Kabul.
“Uzbekistan’s air defence forces prevented an attempt by an Afghan military aircraft to illegally cross Uzbekistan’s border, he said.
He did not say how many people were on board or whether they have survived the crash.
Zulfikarov said the ministry would prepare a statement on the crash.
Russia’s RIA news agency earlier on Monday cited Uzbekistan’s defence ministry as saying the pilot had ejected and was injured.
Bekpulat Okboyev, a doctor in Surkhondaryo province, said his hospital had taken in two patients who were wearing Afghan military uniforms on Sunday evening.
The doctor described one of the patients as having come in “with a parachute” and noted that the man had suffered fractures.
Central Asia has watched with alarm as Afghanistan’s government has collapsed.
Three former Soviet countries, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, border the country.
On Sunday, Uzbekistan said 84 Afghan soldiers had been detained crossing the border, adding that it was negotiating with the Afghans over the soldiers’ return. — NNN-AGENCIES
