Afghan civilians killed by Nato rockets
Updated on 14 February 2010
A total of 12 Afghan civilians have been killed in a misguided rocket attack by US and British forces on the second day of their assault on former Taliban strongholds.
The Nato commander, US General Stanley McChrystal, said he regretted the loss of innocent lives, but the incident will hamper allied attempts to win over the support of local populations.
General McChrystal, the top US commander in Afghanistan, said the coalition forces "deeply regret" the incident.
He added he had apologised to Afghan President Hamid Karzai for the accident and had suspended use of the rocket system until the incident could be reviewed.
Karzai ordered an investigation into who fired the rocket.
Before the offensive began on Saturday, Karzai pleaded with Afghan and foreign military leaders to be "seriously careful for the safety of civilians".
Despite the deaths, and that of a British soldier in a roadside bomb attack, military commanders say they are achieving their initial objective of occupying areas formerly held by the insurgents.
A second British soldier, from 6 Rifles, was killed this afternoon in an explosion. His family have been informed.
Despite his and the civilian deaths military commanders say they are achieving their initial objective of occupying areas formerly held by the insurgents.
