Jakarta – The Indonesian military said Thursday it will check reports from the country's national human rights commission that a mass grave has been discovered in Aceh province.

The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) told AFP Wednesday that its representatives in Aceh had received information about a grave believed to contain dozens of bodies.

The grave is located in Nisam sub-district close to the rebel stronghold of Bireuen, where there has been intense military activity during a major offensive to crush separatist rebels of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM). Komnas HAM said it plans to further investigate.

Military spokesman Nachrowi told AFP the information provided by Komnas HAM needs to be closely examined to determine its veracity. "I think we have to coordinate with Komnas HAM," Nachrowi said. "Then we can investigate in the field." Whether the grave contains dead cows or humans, and who the victims are, needs to be confirmed, he said. "We are checking the information."

Sofyan Daud, GAM's chief spokesman, told AFP in Jakarta there were more than 100 bodies in the grave at Krung Tuan village. Daud alleged the victims were civilians who had fled to the forest and were then shot over a number of days by troops. Independent confirmation of his allegations was not possible.

Official military figures say 175 rebels had been killed as of Wednesday, along with 24 soldiers and four policemen. The military has put the civilian death toll at 18.

Meawnhile, top security minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono warned the Komnas HAM should be careful in using the term 'militia.' "Do not copy foreigners by using the term 'militia'," he said, adding the use of civilians as security forces is stipulated by law under the national defense strategy.