Kabul, Aug 18 (DPA) NATO said it would suspend military operations during the forthcoming Afghan presidential elections, as two rockets believed to have been fired by Taliban militants landed near the presidential palace Tuesday morning, causing no casualties.

'In support of the Afghan National Security Forces who lead the security efforts during the electoral process, only those operations that are deemed necessary to protect the population will be conducted on that day,' the alliance said in a statement.

NATO's announcement followed a similar request from Afghan Defence Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak, who called Sunday for a day of peace during the elections.

He said the Afghan forces would halt all offensive operations, calling also on Taliban militants to let the people to come out and vote.

Taliban militants, whose government was toppled by a US-led military invasion in late 2001, have vowed to disrupt the election. The rebel group has also warned Afghans not to take part in the elections, or 'be prepared to face death'.

Around 200,000 Afghan security forces and more than 100,000 international troops will be providing security for the more than 6,500 polling stations. But given the size of the country, Afghan security officials admit it is difficult to cover it all.

Meanwhile, two rockets fired from Bagrami in the southern part of Kabul city hit near the fortified presidential palace, a police official in Kabul told DPA.

'Both rockets hit areas around the presidential palace, but fortunately there were no casualties,' the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.