From abc.net.au

Pakistani border guards have opened fire on people trying to smuggle wheat flour into Afghanistan to ease a domestic shortage.

Chief military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said troops at a checkpoint near the southwestern border town of Chaman fired at three trucks loaded with flour.

“They were first asked to stop and when they ignored they were fired upon. One of the vehicles was crippled due to the bursting of its tyres but the two others managed to cross the border,” he said.

“There were no casualties and there was no exchange of fire between two sides,” General Abbas added.

He said an agreement has now been reached between Pakistani and Afghan military commanders to prevent similar incidents in future.

Inside Pakistan, AFP reports there are long queues for wheat flour in many towns due to widespread shortages.

Officials say large quantities of wheat are being smuggled into Afghanistan, where the commodity fetches a higher price.

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