KATMANDU, Nepal (AP) – Nepalese soldiers killed at least 48 communist rebels and suffered four deaths themselves in a battle in the country’s southwest, officials said Tuesday. It was the fiercest clash since the king imposed emergency rule a month ago to focus on stamping out the insurgency.

The fighting took place late Monday and early Tuesday near the village of Mohammadpur, about 350 miles southwest of Katmandu, after soldiers went to the area to clear trees and debris that rebels had used to block a highway, police and army officials said.

Rebels hiding nearby threw a bomb at the troops and opened fire, with soldiers quickly taking positions and fighting back, the officials said.

At least 48 rebels were killed, the officials said, adding that the casualty toll could be higher because villagers saw guerrillas carrying away bodies. Two soldiers and two police officers were killed, the officials said. At least 12 soldiers were also wounded in the clash.

It was the biggest clash since King Gyanendra took over power Feb. 1, suspending civil liberties and promising to take care of the rebel problem.

On Tuesday, a New York-based Human Rights Watch urged Nepal’s army to investigate and halt widespread human rights abuses, including alleged abductions by security forces of rebel sympathizers.

Human Rights Watch also called on countries supporting the Royal Nepalese Army, including Britain, India and the United States, to make all military assistance contingent on its adherence to international human rights and humanitarian law.

Human Rights Watch quoted local rights groups as saying 1,200 people are estimated to have disappeared because of the security forces.

The army declined comment on the allegations. It has insisted in the past that it has improved its human rights record and punished several officers who violated these rights.

The rebels, who say they’re inspired by Chinese revolutionary Mao Zedong, began fighting in 1996 to dislodge the monarchy and establish communist rule in this Himalayan nation. More than 10,500 people have died in the insurgency.

AP-ES-03-01-05 1356EST

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