NATO Strike in Question. A late November skirmish that resulted in the deaths of 24 Pakistani soldiers appears to be a case of mistaken identity, in which both NATO and Pakistani troops claim to have mistaken each other for Taliban forces.
Pakistan's immediate response was to close two border crossings into Afghanistan, blocking NATO and U.S. supplies. Pakistan also ordered the United States to vacate a Pakistani air base used by U.S. drones.
Afghan and U.S. officers say they called in the airstrikes on two border outposts after coming under fire from Pakistan. The Wall Street Journal reported that anonymous officials said the United States had obtained clearance for the raid from Pakistan. Pakistan insisted the U.S. gave incorrect coordinates for the strikes and said Pakistani forces returned fire only after the attacks on them had begun.
An investigation into the incident led by U.S. Central Command was begun almost immediately, and an initial report is due as we go to press.
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