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U.S. denies troops cross Pakistan border

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Senior U.S. military officials continued Monday to adamantly deny that U.S. troops have crossed from Afghanistan into Pakistan to look for al Qaeda or Taliban fighters.

However, officials did confirm that a growing number of Special Forces teams from several coalition countries are positioned at key points along mountain passes and roads along the Afghan-Pakistan border.

They are said to be watching closely for any signs of convoys or troop movements.

When those teams see potential targets, the information is communicated to a "handful" of U.S. Special Forces working with Pakistani military forces along their border in the tribal areas so that targets can be tracked in the remote terrain.

Officials are underscoring that no U.S. military or coalition troops have conducted independent operations on Pakistani territory.

Nonetheless one senior official said the United States continues to have a "loose and informal" arrangement with the Pakistanis and "if U.S. troops have to wander into Pakistan while on patrol, so be it."