The U.S most senior military commander says that U.S – led forces fighting to clear a Taliban stronghold in south Afghanistan are making steady progress. Adm Mike Mullen said the operation in the town of Marjah in Helmand province was messy. U.S Defence Secretary Robert Gates said Operation Moshtarak in Helmand was proceeding slower than expected. About 15000 NATO and Afghan troops are involved in the 10-day old offensive. Earlier, the Afghan government condemned a NATO air strike in neighbouring Uruzgan province which killed at least 27 civilians.