On the second day of a major offensive against the Taliban
in the southern Afghan province of Helmand,
NATO-led forces have killed 12 civilians by mistake.
A NATO statement said two rockets
veered off target.
Martin Patience reports.
According to military officials,
the two rockets were supposed to target insurgents
who they say were firing from a compound.
But the weapons missed their target by 300 meters,
killing the civilians in Marjah.
In a statement, NATO-led forces say
they've suspended the use of this particular rocket
while they investigate.
Despite the deaths, commanders say
the operation is proceeding as planned.
Progress, however, has been slow in Marjah town
as forces clear homemade bombs
and booby traps from roads and compounds.