The official said at least 110 militants had also been killed, but the death toll was not possible to verify independently.
The clashes signalled a fresh military intensive in the Tirah valley of Khyber district, where the military has been targeting Taliban and militia Lashkar-e-Islam who threaten the nearby city of Peshawar.
Khyber straddles the NATO supply line into Afghanistan, used by US-led troops to evacuate military equipment ahead of their 2014 withdrawal, and officials say it is key to protecting security in Peshawar for elections next month.
"Twenty-three soldiers have been martyred over the past three days in different parts of Tirah valley," a military official told AFP.
"Ground forces have intensified operations against TTP (Tehreek-e-Taliban) and Lashkar-e-Islam," the official said.
The official said at least 110 militants had also been killed, but the death toll was not possible to verify independently as the area is cut off to journalists and aid workers.
He said the town of Tut Sar had been "captured" back from militants and that soldiers had now erected a post in the area.
"Helicopters and jets participated in the operation. They are shelling militant hideouts in the valley," the official said.
A second military official confirmed the same details.
Pakistani troops have been fighting for years against homegrown insurgents in the northwestern tribal belt, where the United States has accused them of not doing enough to crack down on Taliban and other militants active in Afghanistan.
COMMENTS (28)
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Our brave men's have lost lives against these paid agents, Oh god plz strengthen our soldiers, as there is no doubt without. The army we would have turned into another Afghanistan as our leaders are all commited to loot this nation.
@A. Khan: Please spare yourself from giving one line synopsis for this loss. Having said that, it is imperative to deduce that you have zero strategic military leadership experience nor have you ever visited these lands nor are you informed that with what military hardware and training are these militants/terrorist factions equipped with. It could have been much better if you had enlightened the readers on giving your consultation to Army leadership on how to counter snipers for instance.
Root cause of all these problems is the ideology that supports and in most cases forces people to get into mindless violence and slaughter. The Taliban truly believe that they are toppling the corrupt and westernized slave government. The government (and their proxy, the army) consider the former as terrorists and extremists. So who is right and who is wrong?
The Taliban are fighting a freedom struggle, not that different from people in Palestine and Kashmir who are fighting their battles. So are we prepared to call those struggles as terrorism? So is it ok if one wages a war against non-muslims but suddenly is a problem if the affected party is muslim?
These are fundamental questions that have no answers yet, and no body has the guts to find the answers for.
@naeem khan Manhattan,Ks:
How do you prevent people who ae following ideologies, strategies and have visions but have not the common sense to know the history of people who have survived and defeated civilisations and empires and perished in the mountains and valleys.
Fools are those who fight resistance. They are more than sixty million starting fro Der Chitral to Tirah to DI khan, Baluchistan up towards Qandhar, Kabul and beyond, the largest tribes in the world: They are all linked with one another in 'Pakhtunwali', but separated for security purpose each tribe speaking a special dialect peventing others entry into their domain.
Rex Minor
You know what is our problem and everybody hates us in the world? Because we are not honest, not even to ourselves. Foe example everyone here says "brave Pak army," what brave yaar? we have lost 4 times against Indian army, is that called bravery?
@naeem khan Manhattan,Ks: Please explain WHY your so-called "Citizens of Pakistan" (TTP?) have killed some 30,000 plus OTHER Pakistanis (and maimed probably twice that number) over the past ten years or so!!!! Or can't you understand that THEY were already KILLING US!!!
Really an alarming situation in the election year.
The Vietnam syndrom has started. The Americans must leave their heavy equipment and make a run for warm waters the Government of Pakistan should have had the agreement of the Pashtun tribes to let the USA withdraw its armour. No force in history was allowed a free passage through the valleys of Pashtun tribes. This is written in history and so must it follow.
There are no warriors or martyrs, no friends or foes, no heroes or villains they must all give way and perish on the mountains and in the valleys.and become ashes disappeaing with ashes of those before them.
i
Rex Minor
"Military official says fighting has intensified with jets and helicopters shelling enemy positions". Now the people from FATA are being treated as our enemies, when we treat them like enemies then they will be enemies and the time is not too far off when they demand and fight for seceding from Pakistan. Why can't anyone understand that if we kill them, they will kill us. We are killing them through US drones with the blessing of the previous government and the military. Let us not treat them like enemies because they are the citizens of Pakistan.
Pakistan Army is finally taking action against these RAW agents! Go Army go! (:o
May god be with the brave soldiers and families of deceased.
@sheeraz: Home grlown? No way. Indians trained by CIA and Israel.
The army deserves all the support that it can be given in this brave effort to protect the state.
nuke talibans!
So how many troops are deployed and what is the goal and benchmarks for measuring success or failure of the operation? Pakistan has an enormous military - but doesn't seem to use it to overwhelm and destroy the enemy - Pakistan military needs a Norman Schwarzkopf.
@Zeeshan: WOW, You said that "these criminals who are paid by our enemies", but then your keyboard ran out of ink!!! Please tell us WHO is paying these "criminals" since you seem to know, or is this just more of the tired FOREIGN HAND CRAP!
Can someone ask Hameed Gul, zaid hamid & many more like them (civil & military society) for their valuable comments who supported and to date advocate these Jihadi elements.....
10 more martyrs as shaheed never dies...
Pak Army really needs to review its tactics as it is sustaining a very high loss ratio.
Yesterday soldier were told to fight India, USSR and USA. many got killed. Now we are told they are friends and our leaders visit them frequently. So who is responsible for the lives of poor soldiers. Nation today is worried abt Musharraf, Elec, elections and EC official but none talked about these shahadats
Our army is brave. Insha-Allah they will finish these criminals who are paid by our enemies to destruct our country.
Go Pakistan Army Go! Kill'em all. There are millions who pray for your well being and success in this was against western funded terrorism inside our sovereign land. May Allah bless you and your families for the greatest sacrifices that you brave men are enduring which not many have made for our beloved country.
Our brave jawans, God less them with janat, they are our only hope against these medieval ? humans who are destroying our country. Long live Pak army.
The military has taken the right decision to eliminate these barbarians and operations should continue till complete victory is achieved. The military has to make some sacrifices to safeguard its citizens and also maintain sovereignty of the country. Our best wishes from across the border for a God speed victory for Pak armed forces against the evil forces who are not only enemy of of Pakistan but the mankind as well.
Man these homegrowns are up on our heads. 23 soldiers Martyred by them is serious and alarming situation. Weldone army you guys have really sacrificed a lot in thise battle.
Those who are killing soldiers are qualified to contest elections under clause 62 of constitution and those who are opposing these terrorists cannot contest election under same clause.
Dear Pakistanis, Talibans and other terrorist groups are no ones friends. Get rid of this evil if you want Pakistan to prosper.
Finally making headlines. Tirah valley has been bleeding for months, and only now it hits the headlines? That too with out of date stats and quotes.