The Indian Air Force’s 93rd anniversary on October 8th celebration came with a surprising side of humour and a dash of trolling that’s now gone viral. A photo of a dinner menu from the event, featuring dishes named after Pakistani cities targeted during anti-terror operations, is doing the rounds on social media, and netizens can’t stop talking about it.
The menu included a range of dishes that blended flavour with subtle political commentary. The main course featured ‘Rawalpindi Chicken Tikka Masala’, ‘Rafiqui Rhara Mutton’, ‘Bholari Paneer Methi Malai’, ‘Sukkur Sham Savera Kofta’, ‘Sargodha Dal Makhani’, ‘Jacobabad Mewa Pulao’, and ‘Bahawalpur Naan’. Dessert didn’t hold back either — guests were treated to ‘Balakot Tiramisu’, ‘Muzaffarabad Kulfi Faluda’, and ‘Muridke Meetha Pan’.
Interestingly, each of these Pakistani cities holds historical significance for the Indian Air Force. Operation Sindoor, conducted on May 7 this year, targeted nine major terrorist hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, including Muridke and Bahawalpur — the headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. The precision strikes hit locations across Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Bhimber, Rawalakot, and Neelum Valley, among others.
The Balakot airstrike, carried out on February 26, 2019, was India’s response to the Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel. The strike destroyed a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Meanwhile, during this year’s Air Force Day parade at Hindon Air Base on October 8, the IAF showcased its air power with aircraft such as Rafale, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, MiG-29, C-17 Globemaster III, C-130J Hercules, and Apache attack helicopters. The indigenous Netra AEW&C and Akash Missile System were also featured.
The parade also paid tribute to Operation Sindoor and included a static display of the recently retired MiG-21 Bison, honouring its six decades of service. Through this creative culinary tribute, the IAF once again proved it can serve precision — both in the skies and on the dinner table.
