US continues to defend air strike on Pakistani military post

The Bush administration and Pentagon have responded with a chorus of statements justifying the attack.

Admiral Michael Mullen, the head of the US Armed Forces Joint Chiefs of Staff, defended the attack mounted by Afghan forces with US air support along the Afghan-Pakistani border Tuesday might saying it went according to the book. Every indication I have is that this operation was executed in accordance with proceduresby the book thats what I know now.

While the State Department did express, in formulaic fashion, regrets over the reported loss of Pakistani life, Washington continues to insist it has no confirmation that US warplanes bombed a Pakistani military checkpoint. White House National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley said US officials have not been able to corroborate that American bombs killed Pakistani troops. Should it be true, obviously we would be very saddened by that loss