The U.S.-led NATO coalition has confirmed that five Afghan National Army soldiers were killed accidently in eastern Afghanistan.



At least eight other soldiers were reportedly wounded in the incident, which Afghan government officials said was a mistaken U.S. drone strike.



In a statement, the coalition said that "an investigation is being conducted at this time to determine the circumstances that led to this unfortunate incident."



The air strike occurred early on March 6 in Afghanistan's central Logar Province.



The deaths are likely to worsen already sour relations between the U.S.-led NATO coalition and President Hamid Karzai.



Karzai has used civilian deaths and errant air strikes to launch bitter criticism of the international military effort in Afghanistan.



Based on reporting by AP, Reuters, and AFP