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Sources: Assailants kill U.S. soldier after meeting

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(CNN) -- A U.S. soldier operating under NATO's command was killed Monday when gunfire erupted as they left a meeting on the Afghan-Pakistan border, U.S. military sources said.

In a press release, NATO said one soldier was killed and four others -- two service members and two civilians -- were wounded in the attack carried out by "unknown assailants."

NATO did not release the soldiers' nationalities, pending notification of next of kin. U.S. military sources said American soldiers were also among the wounded, although it is not clear how many.

Pakistan's government is investigating the incident, NATO said.

The soldiers were meeting in Teri Mangel, Pakistan, near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border to discuss a recent surge in violence in the border area, NATO said.

Speaking to Afghan national television, Afghan Gen. Zahir Azimi blamed the attack on a Pakistani soldier, but Pakistani army spokesman Maj. Gen. Waheed Arshad denied that claim.

Azimi said the gunman stood up during the meeting and fired at point-blank range at two U.S. soldiers and an Afghan soldier, and Pakistani and Afghan soldiers returned fire on the gunman, he said.

Arshad, however, said the attack took place on a military convoy leaving the meeting. He said a Pakistani soldier was among the casualties.

CNN's Barbara Starr contributed to this report.

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