"China is deeply shocked at the incident and expresses strong concern," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hong Lei told a media briefing here.

He was reacting to the incident in which 24 soldiers were killed and 13 injured when NATO fighter jets and helicopters fired upon two Pakistani border posts near the Afghan border two days ago.

"China believes independence, sovereignty and territory of Pakistan should be respected in real earnest and the incident should be investigated in all earnestness and be handled appropriately in a serious manner", the official said.

Asked if China believed NATO was guilty, Hong said there should earnest probe into the incident.