(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
how much need wait to be sure? What has  Afghan offensive reached? How many days do NATO troops need to secure areas in Helmand province? What the Afghan offensive reached? What do they need three more months for? How long will it take to be sure insurgents stay out ?
a further three months "the end of the beginning," 30 "the end of the beginning," to be sure insurgents are being kept out of the area, "another 25 to 30 days
question: how much need wait to be sure?, answer: a further three months | question: What has  Afghan offensive reached?, answer: "the end of the beginning," | question: How many days do NATO troops need to secure areas in Helmand province?, answer: 30 | question: What the Afghan offensive reached?, answer: "the end of the beginning," | question: What do they need three more months for?, answer: to be sure insurgents are being kept out of the area, | question: How long will it take to be sure insurgents stay out ?, answer: "another 25 to 30 days