The newspaper said Mr McChrystal noted in interviews over the past few days the use of airstrikes during firefights in Afghanistan would mostly be allowed only to prevent US and other coalition troops from being overrun.

Even in the cases of active firefights with Taleban forces, airstrikes will be limited if the combat is taking place in populated areas, the report pointed out.

The restrictions will be especially tight in attacking houses and compounds where insurgents are believed to have taken cover, The Times noted.

'Air power contains the seeds of our own destruction if we do not use it responsibly,' Mr McChrystal told a group of his senior officers during a video conference last week, according to the paper. 'We can lose this fight'.

A report released by the military last week showed a failure by US forces to follow procedures in air strikes last month in Afghanistan 'likely' caused the death of at least 26 civilians.

An internal investigation of a May 4 battle with Taleban insurgents in western Afghanistan found US air crews and ground troops acted in line with the laws of armed conflict but three air strikes by a B-1 bomber failed to adhere to US combat rules and orders. -- AFP