NATO officials described the area as part of Kunar, but in the Afghan Government the district falls under the jurisdiction of neighbouring Nuristan. They played down the pullout and did not confirm that Taliban forces had moved into Wanat.

In Kabul, Captain Mike Finney, a spokesman for the NATO force, said that “the citizens in Wanat and northern Kunar Province can be assured” that NATO and Afghan troops would continue to patrol the district and maintain “a strong presence in the area”.

“We are committed, now more than ever, to establishing a secure environment that will allow even greater opportunities for development and a stronger Afghan governmental influence,” he added.

Only 45 US soldiers and 25 Afghans had occupied the Wanat outpost for a few days before the attack. Far outnumbered by militants, the force was nearly overrun and fought a four-hour battle before the Taliban were repelled. In addition to the nine American deaths, 15 US soldiers were wounded. Four Afghan soldiers were wounded.

At the Pentagon, Defence Secretary Robert M Gates and Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Wednesday that the attack, and other recent cross-border strikes, underscored the need for more allied troops in Afghanistan and more aggressive action by Pakistani security forces on the other side of the border.

“There is no question that the absence of pressure on the Pakistani side of the border is creating an opportunity for more people to cross the border and to launch attacks,” Gates told reporters. “There is a real need to do something on the Pakistani side of the border to bring pressure to bear on the Taliban and some of these other violent groups.”

... contd.