PESHAWAR, Pakistan: Pakistani security forces have carried out three major raids against Pakistani Taliban hideouts near the Afghan border in recent days, triggering fierce clashes that left 19 soldiers and 45 militants dead, the military announced Saturday.

The heavy toll highlights the challenge Pakistan faces in tackling a surge in militant violence. According to the military, the first raid took place in the Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where 22 militants were killed. A second operation in South Waziristan left 13 more insurgents dead but also cost the lives of 12 soldiers, who were described in the military's statement as having "embraced martyrdom" after fighting "gallantly."

A third intelligence-led raid was carried out last week in Lower Dir district, sparking a gun battle in which seven soldiers and 10 militants were killed.

The military accused the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), of launching attacks from Afghan territory and called on the Taliban government in Kabul to "uphold its responsibilities and deny use of its soil for terrorist activities against Pakistan." It also referred to the militants as "Khwarij," a term used by authorities to delegitimize the group, and alleged—without providing evidence—that they had backing from India. New Delhi has consistently rejected such claims.

There was no immediate reaction from either the Taliban in Kabul or Indian officials.

Pakistan's leadership publicly praised the security forces for their sacrifices. President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and senior officials lauded the troops. At the same time, state-run media reported that Sharif and army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir attended funerals for the slain soldiers and visited the wounded in a military hospital in Bannu.

Sharif reiterated that Pakistan seeks "peaceful relations with all neighbors, including Afghanistan," but urged the Taliban government to "make a clear choice" between maintaining ties with Islamabad or continuing to shelter the TTP.

Militant violence in Pakistan has intensified in recent years, with most attacks claimed by the TTP. Although distinct from the Afghan Taliban, the group maintains close ties with it. Since the Taliban takeover of Kabul in 2021, TTP leaders and fighters are believed to have found refuge across the border, enabling them to regroup and escalate operations inside Pakistan.