Pakistani Outrage and the Latest Obstacle in U.S.-Pakistan Relations

        As the fallout from the November 26 U.S. air attack that killed two dozen Pakistani soldiers continues, it’s still far from clear what actually took place.  It’s difficult to even find a clear description of the known facts from a credible news source.  What does seem clear is that U.S. and Afghan forces were conducting night operations against a Taliban training base near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border when they came under fire.   Both the U.S. and Afghanistan have asserted that the fire originated from the Pakistani side of the border, but Pakistani officials dispute this.  U.S. AH-64 attack helicopters and AC-130 gunships were called in for air support, and their attack on the suspected militants resulted in the deaths of at least 24 Pakistani soldiers.  Pentagon officials say that the U.S. forces contacted their Pakistani counterparts to ensure that no Pakistani forces were in the area and were given the all clear.  Pakistani army leaders initially denied that there had been any such communication, but they subsequently stated that the U.S. provided the wrong coordinates.

       It will likely be a while before we have any real idea what happened – if we ever do.  A Pentagon investigation into the matter is due to present its findings on December 23.  It’s doubtful that will be the last word on the matter.