The sustained wave of attacks on Pakistan’s cities and markets, police and army over the past two weeks is a lethal display of jihadi power that looks chillingly like the beginnings of a war for the future of the country, which is in real danger of failing as a state.

The jihadi offensive follows the killing of Baitullah Mehsud, leader of the Pakistani Taliban, and comes as the army has started to attack their south Waziristan sanctuary on the lawless frontier with Afghanistan. Yet, if this were just a conflict between the army and one militant group – however difficult the terrain – we would surely be worrying a lot less about it.