Seeking to quell escalating tensions, NATO on Sunday apologized to Pakistan for attacking military outposts that resulted in the death of 24 Pakistani soldiers over the weekend.
“I have written to the prime minister of Pakistan to make it clear that the deaths of Pakistani personnel are as unacceptable and deplorable as the deaths of Afghan and international personnel,” NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said in a statement.
NATO fighter jets and helicopters bombed two military outposts, which Pakistan said was an unprovoked assault.
Rasmussen said Saturday’s accidental bombing “was a tragic unintended incident” and said the international coalition would “improve cooperation” with Pakistan to avoid future incidents from occurring.
Following the incident, Islamabad called for a review of all U.S. and NATO cooperation. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said the attack was a “grave infringement of Pakistan’s sovereignty,” according to the BBC.
At the same time, Pakistan decided to close down supply routes to NATO forces in Afghanistan with “immediate effect,” a spokesperson with Gilani’s office told the broadcaster.
Government officials also said they will close down the Shamsi air base that the United States uses to launch drone strikes in the region.
