The Commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan has apologised after rockets fired during an offensive in Helmand province killing 12 civilians. Gen Stanley McChrystal said he deeply regretted this tragic loss of life and suspended use of the rocket launching system pending a thorough review. It came as Operation Moshtarak – a huge campaign targeting Taliban strongholds in the south of Afghanistan – entered its third day. President Hamid Karzai has called for an investigation into the deaths. Ten of those killed were from the same family. Operation Moshtarak, meaning together in the Dari language, is the biggest coalition attack since the Taliban fell in 2001.