Nepal's military denies that its forces commit widespread abuses, and action has been taken against any troops who do, a military spokesman said in response to the human rights group's report Wednesday.

Fighting between government troops and Maoist rebels escalated after King Gyanendra seized absolute power in February in a move decried by Western nations as anti-democratic. Key donor nations suspended military aid after the takeover, but have since eased their restrictions.

Amnesty International asked the United States, Britain and India to halt all military aid to Nepal, saying that the aid is facilitating the killing, torture and disappearance of thousands of civilians since 2001.

The London-based group asked those countries "to suspend all transfers of arms and related logistical and security supplies to Nepal until the Nepalese government takes clear steps to halt human rights violations and bring those responsible to justice."

Amnesty also asked the rebels to end all attacks on civilians, quit recruitment of children and investigate any abuses by its cadres and ensure that culprits are removed from their posts.

Nepalese officials have repeatedly said they have improved the human rights record of their forces. Both army troops and police officers are now required to receive training in protecting peoples' rights.

"The security forces is committed toward protecting human rights," Royal Nepalese Army spokesman Brig. Gen. Deepak Gurung said.

Forty-eight officers have been jailed on various charges and disciplinary action has been taken against 68, Gurung said. One soldier is facing rape charges, and several other cases are being investigated, he said.

Amnesty said the Nepalese government must stop extrajudicial killings, all forms of sexual violence, arbitrary arrests, illegal detentions as well as torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

"Military aid and arms supplies to Nepal from countries such as the United States of America, the United Kingdom and India have facilitated the killing, torture and `disappearance' of thousands of civilians," the group said in its report Wednesday.

The report does not detail the cases or say how it arrived at its approximate total of "thousands" of civilians victimized.

Amnesty said it wants donor nations to suspend any military and security assistance, including non-lethal and dual-use equipment that that could be used for military purposes.

More reports from Nepal