In Afghanistan, five Taliban militants have been killed as security forces raided their hideout in eastern Khost province. An army officer Raz Mohammad Aryakhil today said, Afghan forces backed by NATO-led troops stormed a Taliban hideout in Sabari district last night killing five rebels. There were no casualties on the troops, he contended. Meanwhile, Taliban confirmed the clash but disputed the claim, saying all those killed were Afghan and foreign soldiers. Khost and the neighbouring Paktia and Paktika provinces have been regarded as the Taliban hotbed in east Afghanistan.