The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) 93rd anniversary celebration made headlines recently, not just for its grandeur but for a clever and bold way it roasted Pakistan through its dinner menu. The special menu, shared widely on social media, featured dishes named after Pakistani cities, airbases, and militant camps targeted in key Indian military operations like the 2019 Balakot airstrike and the more recent Operation Sindoor carried out in May 2025.

The menu creatively turned Indian Air Force Day into a tactical roast of Pakistan. It included appetizingly named main courses such as Rawalpindi Chicken Tikka Masala, Rafiqui Rhara Mutton, Bholari Paneer Methi Malai, Sukkur Sham Savera Kofta, Sargodha Dal Makhani, Jacobabad Mewa Pulao, and Bahawalpur Naan. Each dish name symbolized significant strike locations or operational achievements of the IAF, especially sites of terror camps and airbases within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) that were subdued through precise strikes.

Adding a humorous sweet twist, the dessert section featured Balakot Tiramisu, Muzaffarabad Kulfi Faluda, and Muridke Meetha Pan—names referencing terrorist strongholds neutralized by India’s air defence campaigns. These dish names serve both as a commemoration of India’s successful operations and a morale boost, showcasing the IAF’s precision and capability in counterterrorism and defence.

This creative presentation captured public imagination, highlighting not only the prowess and success of Indian Air Force missions but also reflecting a spirited and confident approach in the ongoing India-Pakistan security dynamics. The menu, described as “93 Years of IAF: Infallible, Impervious and Precise,” subtly conveyed a message of vigilance and strength, turning a celebratory feast into a symbolic statement of national pride.

The use of military operation references such as Operation Sindoor, which targeted key airbases and terror camps in Pakistan, underscored the IAFs enhanced strategic reach and capability. The humorous and symbolic menu also generated waves across social media and received praise from defence veterans and political leaders, reinforcing the spirit of Indian defence successes.

This unique angle of commemorating Air Force Day with a dinner menu that doubles as a pointed roast of adversaries reflects an innovative way to blend humor, military history, and national pride, giving the anniversary celebration an added layer of meaning and public engagement. Such creative expressions underscore how modern military institutions also engage public sentiment and nationalistic pride beyond traditional displays of hardware and drills, using symbolism to bolster morale and public awareness of defence achievements. The viral IAF dinner menu not only stirred amusement but also reminded followers of India’s evolving aerial supremacy and strategic successes in the region.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from India Today.