Colonel Sofiya Qureshi: All about Indian Army woman officer who led Operation Sindoor
PTC Web Desk: In a powerful and symbolic gesture, the Indian Army fielded two high-ranking female officers—Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh—during a press conference following the successful execution of Operation Sindoor, an offensive that neutralised nine terrorist launch pads across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Their presence underscored the Indian Armed Forces' message: strength has no gender.
Colonel Qureshi, who addressed the media alongside Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, provided critical insights and confirmed the precision of the operation. "Operation Sindoor was India’s answer to the Pahalgam Terror Attack. We targeted and demolished nine active terror camps without harming civilians or military installations," she stated.
Who Is Colonel Sofiya Qureshi?
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, currently posted in the Signal Corps of the Indian Army, hails from Vadodara, Gujarat, and has a postgraduate degree in Biochemistry. A seasoned officer, she joined the Army at just 17 under the Short Service Commission in 1999, following a family legacy of military service. Her husband also serves in the Army’s Mechanised Infantry.
A trailblazer in her field, Colonel Qureshi holds the distinction of being the first Indian woman officer to lead a multinational military contingent. In 2016, she commanded India’s unit at Exercise Force 18—a massive military training event held in Pune that included forces from ASEAN nations, the USA, Russia, China, Japan, and more.
Her extensive career includes serving in the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Congo (2006) and playing key roles in Operation Parakram and flood relief efforts in the Northeast, where she earned multiple commendation cards from senior military leadership for her exceptional service in communications.
Operation Sindoor: A strategic strike
Colonel Qureshi, presenting video evidence during the briefing, confirmed multiple successful hits on key terror hubs, including Mundrike. She emphasised that the operation was conducted with precision to avoid civilian casualties.
"Over the past 30 years, Pakistan has constructed a deeply layered terror network comprising training camps, indoctrination centers, and launchpads. Operation Sindoor was a calibrated strike aimed at disrupting that infrastructure,” she explained.
Her clear and confident delivery, backed by years of frontline experience and international exposure, drew widespread praise across social media, with many hailing her as the embodiment of courage and intellect in uniform.
- With inputs from agencies
