( CNN ) -- It will take NATO-led military forces `` another 25 to 30 days to secure that which needs to be secured '' in Afghanistan 's Helmand province , and a further three months after that to be sure insurgents are being kept out of the area , British Maj. Gen. Nick Carter said Thursday . But Operation Moshtarak has reached `` the end of the beginning , '' he said in a briefing from Afghanistan broadcast by the Pentagon Channel . `` The insurgent was entirely dislocated within 24 hours '' of the insertion of troops by helicopter , he said . The Nad Ali district is `` broadly secure , '' he said , but there is still Taliban resistance in Marjah . `` It will be some days before we can be completely confident that Marjah is secure , '' he said . Ten civilians were killed on the second day of the operation , he said . Reports at the time said 12 were killed . More coverage on Afghanistan Crossroads blog .
Afghan troops need 20 - 30 days to secure areas in Helmand province , UK Army says . Three more months just to be sure insurgents stay out , says Maj . Gen. Nick Carter . But Afghan offensive has reached ` ` point of the beginning , '' he says .