KABUL, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- Afghan and the NATO-led forces during operation against Taliban hideouts in Khost province, east of Afghanistan, eliminated five suspected insurgents and arrested two others, a local official said Monday.

    "Afghan National Army with the support of international Coalition raided a house in Sabari district Sunday night and after fire-exchange, five rebels were killed and two others were detained after sustaining injuries," police chief of Sabari district Sadeq Shah told Xinhua.

    Neither Taliban militants nor locals have made comment.

    War-plagued Afghanistan has seen escalating violence since the beginning of this year as Taliban militants have vowed to intensify their assaults and derail second round presidential election set for Nov. 7.