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Pentagon: Missile may have killed civilians

From Jamie McIntyre
CNN Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Pentagon acknowledged Tuesday that it was entirely possible that four Afghan men, under contract to the United Nations, were killed by an errant U.S. cruise missile.

Four security workers for a United Nations-affiliated mine-clearing operation were killed during Monday night's strikes.

Pentagon sources say the United States sent four cruise missiles against communications towers in the area near Kabul, and three hit their intended target.

The fourth cruise missile is unaccounted for.

The Pentagon acknowledged it was "entirely possible" that the missing missile hit the U.N. building, even though it was not targeted by the U.S. military.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said Tuesday, "We regret the loss of life."