Nepali military officials say 16 Maoist rebels and one soldier were killed Saturday during heavy fighting in western Nepal.
Officials say the clash occurred in Syangja district, just days after another deadly battle in the same area.
Thursday, 10 Maoist rebels were killed in a clash sparked by guerrillas firing on a military patrol.
Maoist rebels have carried out a series of attacks in western Nepal since January 2 when they canceled a truce after four months. The guerillas say they resumed hostilities because Nepal's royalist government refused to match the cease-fire.
Maoists have been fighting to overthrow Nepal's monarchy since 1996. At least 12,000 people have died in the fighting.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.