( 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 .
Taliban troops need 25-30 days to secure areas in UK , Helmand province general says . Three more months needed to be sure insurgents stay out , says Maj. Gen. Moshtarak . But British offensive has reached `` end of the beginning , '' he says .