In a statement released Sunday by NATO, McChrystal says the current massive military offensive in Helmand province is aimed at restoring security and stability to the country's dangerous south and he regrets that innocent lives were lost in Nad Ali district.
Karzai issued a statement minutes earlier saying 10 members of the same family died when a rocket hit a house. Before the offensive began Saturday, Karzai pleaded with Afghan and foreign military leaders to be extra careful to avoid civilian casualties.
