Security has been tightened in southwestern Nepal after Maoists ambushed an army patrol on a key highway in the region, killing at least nine people and leaving 28 security forces missing, officials said on Saturday.
Hundreds of government troops have been transported to a stretch of the East-West highway near Sunwal, about 250 kms southwest of Kathmandu, following the latest rebel assault, said Ram Kumar Khanal, the police chief in the area.
The Maoist rebels, who have been fighting for a decade to create a socialist state, have increased attacks since they pulled out of a cease-fire last month.
The insurgency has claimed about 12,000 lives.
Khanal said two policemen were killed in clashes that began with Thursday's ambush and lasted through the next day.
The Royal Nepalese Army said in a statement two army soldiers were also killed in the attack.
News reports on Saturday said 16 soldiers and police were killed.
Khanal said 22 soldiers and six policemen were missing and that land mines were hampering efforts to search for them.
The rebels said they lost at least four fighters in the battle. One civilian was also killed.
{{/usCountry}}The rebels said they lost at least four fighters in the battle. One civilian was also killed.
{{/usCountry}}The fighting marred last week's nationwide municipal polls, Nepal's first elections in seven years.
King Gyanendra seized power a year ago, saying he needed to toss out an interim government to stamp out the rebellion and bring order to a chaotic and corrupt political scene.
He promised to restore full democracy within three years, and said Wednesday's election was a first step.
The rebels launched repeated attacks during the campaign and threatened to kill anyone who took part in the elections. Two candidates were slain.
On Friday, Nepal's Election Commission announced that pro-government candidates, as expected, had won most of the elections for mayors and local officials.
Three pro-government parties won 17 mayoral posts while independent candidates, none of whom are anti-king, won 15.
Only about 21 per cent voters showed up for the elections, which were boycotted by major political parties who called it an attempt by the king to legitimise his power grab.
The elections have been rejected by key international allies as deeply flawed because of the boycott, rebel attacks and threats and government intimidation.