Uzbek air force shot down an Afghan military jet as it tried to violate the country's border, Uzbekistan's defense ministry told Russia's RIA news agency on Monday.

The aircraft was shot down on Sunday after crossing into Uzbekistan's southern province of Surkhondaryo, bordering Afghanistan. Two pilots ejected and survived, the Uzbek defense ministry was quoted as saying.

"The military plane illegally crossed the border of Uzbekistan. An investigation is underway," ministry spokesman Bakhrom Zulfikarov told reporters earlier, confirming Uzbek media reports.

Zulfikarov said the ministry would prepare a statement on the crash.

Bekpulat Okboyev, a doctor in Surkhondaryo province, told AFP his hospital had taken in two patients who arrived in Afghan military uniforms on Sunday evening.

The doctor described one of the patients came "with a parachute" and noted that the man had suffered fractures.

Central Asia has watched with alarm as Afghanistan's government has collapsed. On Sunday, Uzbekistan said 84 Afghan soldiers had been detained for illegally crossing the border. It was also negotiating with the Afghans over the soldiers' return.

(With input from Reuters, AFP)