KABUL: Seven Taliban rebels were killed in two separate raids by Afghan soldiers and their NATO allies in troubled eastern Afghanistan.

Muhammad Gul, Afghan army spokesman said that four Taliban were killed in Paktia in a joint operation by the US and Afghan forces.

Gul said that another three Taliban militants were killed after Afghan troops gunship helicopters attacked them in Khost near the border with Pakistan.

The afghan military spokesman said that four suspects were also arrested during the operation.