NATO says 12 Afghan civilians dead in missile strike

Rockets fired at militants attacking NATO and Afghan troops missed and killed 12 civilians during an offensive in the southern Helmand province targeting a Taliban stronghold, NATO forces in Afghanistan said on Sunday.

"It's regrettable that in the course of our joint efforts, innocent lives were lost. We extend our heartfelt sympathies and will ensure we do all we can to avoid future incidents," US General Stanley McChrystal, the NATO commander, said in a statement. (Reuters)