WASHINGTON — Coalition forces pounded Libyan military targets today with 24 more Tomahawk missiles, expanding the no-fly zone over the North African nation but suffering the loss of a U.S. fighter jet, U.S. officials said.

And the on-scene commander, Navy Adm. Samuel Locklear, confirmed that troops of leader Moammar Gadhafi were attacking civilians in the city of Misrata. He said that as the international mission continues, coalition forces will better be able to target those government troops.

The Tomahawk cruise missiles were launched from U.S. and British submarines, a defense official said earlier in the day. Locklear didn’t give details but confirmed that brought to 161 the number of Tomahawk strikes aimed at disabling Libyan command and control facilities, air defenses and other targets since the operation started Saturday.

Locklear said the coalition is “considering all options” but didn’t elaborate.