The report says that on 5 August this year, the two Afghan men were stopped while crossing the Amu Darya river at midnight.

The two Afghans used guns to offer resistance. “During the shoot-out, they were wounded, and one of them was detained but died as a result of the wounds sustained. The other managed to escape and hide in the direction of the neighbouring country,” the report said.

It said security officers checked the area and found a synthetic package containing over 40 kg of opium, which the Afghan men attempted to smuggle into Uzbekistan.

“The investigation of the case is under way,” the report added.