IAF releases promotional video featuring Balakot airstrikes. But why?

At this point, it's almost impossible to not be aware of Balakot airstrikes, which in all probability is one of the most successful operations of IAF.

12 IAF jets breached Pakistani airspace on the intervening night of February 25 and 26, to drop bombs at Jaish's camp.

The notorious terror outfit was responsible for orchestrating Pulwama attack, in which 40 CRPF soldiers were martyred.

Earlier in the day, newly-inducted IAF Chief, Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria, addressed a press meet to talk about IAF's achievements in the last year.

Naturally, Balakot operation was mentioned in the 1:24 minute-long clip. The footage doesn't exactly show what happened on that night but talks about how brave IAF is, among other things.

However, it's the tone of the clip which seems problematic.

If you are wondering why we used the word jingoism in the beginning, let's tell you the reason.

The clip starts with a montage of protests on Indian streets after Pulwama attack. Countrymen burnt effigies and demanded action against the terrorists.

Thereafter, the clip talks about the airstrikes' ideation and its success while using words like "pratishodh" (revenge) and "balidaan" (sacrifice).

While Balakot operation is something every Indian is proud of, IAF landed in hot waters today after its chief accepted for the first time that a chopper was "brought down" by "us" in February.

When IAF was fighting Pakistani jets, a helicopter crashed in Budgam after officials shot it down mistaking it for a missile.

Now, Balakot happened when the election season was underway. The shrewd campaigner Narendra Modi used it in every speech to make sure the PM Narendra Modi comes to power.

While politicians' moral compass is low, armed forces taking the hyper-nationalist route is hard to digest.

They work so hard for us, they don't need to market it, anyway.