The Guardian view on the Bacha Khan massacre: Pakistan must tackle terrorism better

The attack by Islamic militants against a university in Pakistan’s north-western region not only destroyed lives (at least 30 were killed), but also laid bare the failings of the Pakistani government’s counterterrorism strategy. The attackers sought maximum psychological impact by targeting students and university staff – with many of the victims shot in the head. Nor is it a coincidence that this has happened just one year after 134 children were massacred at a school in Peshawar – a memory that remains raw. By striking yet again, and just 30 miles away from Peshawar, the Taliban insurgency has demonstrated its capacity to sow death anywhere it pleases. Oft-repeated government claims that the armed jihadist militancy had been broken are left in tatters.