Pravin Rana's piece ('The art of diplomacy', #262) hits all the right points. The one clear point is that INSAS rifles are to blame for the RNA's disaster in Pili. There is no doubt that many 'brave and under appreciated soldiers' lost their lives. But there is a reason for this tragedy that Rana misses: it's called bad planning, horrible execution and even less common sense on the part of the RNA leadership. If the INSAS rifles are so bad, why did the RNA buy 30,000 of them? After this tragedy and all the lies and excuses to cover up the RNA's own tactical blunder, what impact does this have on soldiers who carry the INSAS into battle? Maybe in his hurry to cover up for the RNA, Rana missed the point that undermining the INSAS exposes the RNA to even more criticism. Rana should maintain his comical writing and stay away from defending the RNA leadership: they don't need another PR disaster to cover up their list of past disasters.

Raj Thapa,
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