‘Balakot’ Tiramisu, ‘Rawalpindi’ Chicken: IAF’s ‘airbase’ dinner menu trolls Pakistan with style

The Indian Air Force’s 93rd anniversary celebration wasn’t just about air shows and ceremonial splendour. It came with a sharp serving of wit that quickly captured the nation’s attention. A dinner menu from the event has gone viral for its cheeky tribute to India’s past air operations against Pakistan, blending culinary creativity with patriotic flair.

The menu featured dishes named after Pakistani airbases that have figured prominently in India’s counter-terror strikes. Guests were treated to “Rawalpindi Chicken Tikka Masala,” “Rafiqui Rhara Mutton,” “Bholari Paneer Methi Malai,” “Sukkur Sham Savera Kofta,” “Sargodha Dal Makhani,” “Jacobabad Mewa Pulao,” and “Bahawalpur Naan.” The dessert section was equally pointed, offering “Balakot Tiramisu,” “Muzaffarabad Kulfi Faluda,” and “Muridke Meetha Pan.”

Each of these names carries historical weight for the Indian Air Force. The bases listed were among those struck or surveilled during India’s retaliatory air campaigns — Operation Bandar in 2019 following the Pulwama attack, and Operation Sindoor earlier this year after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. Operation Sindoor, launched in May 2025, saw precision strikes deep inside Pakistan-occupied territory targeting terror camps in Balakot, Muzaffarabad, and Bahawalpur. These were the same zones from which Pakistan-backed terrorists had infiltrated into India.

The menu’s subtle yet pointed humour was not lost on social media. Many users hailed it as a confident statement of India’s new strategic posture — one that mixes deterrence with unapologetic assertion. Others called it “the best trolling ever by a defence force,” applauding the IAF for its sharp sense of timing and symbolism.

The Bharatiya Janata Party was quick to pick up on the symbolism. Sharing the viral image on X, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala wrote, “From serving dishes to serving justice. Now, even the menu of IAF conveys a new normal! Gone are the days when 26/11 took place and no action was allowed as per P. Chidambaram by foreign powers. Now it’s a new model. Ghar me ghus kar maaro.”