An investigation is underway over the death of four Afghan civilians killed in a rocket attack by British troops.

The four, including women and children, were “accidentally” killed in the Sangin district of Helmand province on Saturday, the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed last night that troops from the 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment were involved.

An MoD spokesman said: “We can confirm that 2 Para were involved in the incident in which four civilians tragically lost their lives. A full investigation will be carried out, and our sympathies are with the families of the killed and injured civilians at this time.”

An ISAF spokesman said three other civilians were wounded when troops set off three rockets.

He said: “The patrol identified insurgents with weapons on the roof of the compound preparing to attack, and in order to protect themselves, launched three rockets all of which hit the target.

"Unbeknown to the patrol, the civilians were inside the compound at the time. The casualties were treated at a nearby ISAF medical facility where two of them, children, remain seriously ill.

“ISAF deeply regrets the tragedy of this incident when women and children were killed and injured as a result of an imminent insurgent attack from a position where they would have known women and children were present.

“The enemies of Afghanistan have yet again shown a complete disregard for the lives of the innocent who they claim to fight for.”

The situation for UK troops in Afghanistan has worsened in recent months, according to experts.

The Senlis Council, a research group based in Afghanistan, claims recent killings show how the Taleban was regaining strongholds throughout the country.Des Browne, the Defence Secretary, acknowledged that progress had come at a “high price”.

Times Recommends

• Robert McNamara dies aged 93
• German soldiers earn new ‘Iron Cross’
• Great Barrier Reef 'gone within 20 years'