Meet Colonel Sofiya Qureshi: The Trailblazing Officer Behind India's Operation Sindoor

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi: A Legacy of Valor

New Delhi: Growing up in a military family, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi was inspired by her grandfather's stories of bravery and sacrifice. When she decided to pursue a career in the armed forces, her family wholeheartedly supported her ambition.

Now a Colonel in the Indian Army, Qureshi was selected to present details about 'Operation Sindoor' during a briefing on Wednesday.

Alongside Wing Commander Vyomika Singh from the Indian Air Force, she shared the stage with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, who initiated the government's statement.

This briefing followed the Indian military's missile strikes targeting nine terrorist locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, including the bases of Jaish-e-Mohammad in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Muridke.

Qureshi and Singh provided specifics about the operations conducted between 1 am and 1:30 am on the night of May 6-7.

As a multi-generational officer from the Corps of Signals, Qureshi has been dedicated to serving her country from a young age. She spoke in Hindi while Singh provided details in English, effectively complementing each other.

The military actions were executed under 'Operation Sindoor,' occurring two weeks after the tragic killing of 26 civilians in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

In a 2017 panel discussion, Qureshi recounted her journey into the military and what motivated her to wear the olive-green uniform.

"Being a 'fauji' kid, I grew up in an army environment. My mother hoped one of us sisters would join the Army. I applied and succeeded. My grandfather, who served, always emphasized our duty as citizens to protect our nation. It is a noble and honorable profession," she reflected.

She also mentioned that she joined the academy during the Kargil War.

Her family expressed pride and surprise at seeing her on television.

"We are thrilled with our daughter's contributions to the country. It's essential to educate children, especially daughters, to empower them to become officers and serve the nation," Qureshi's mother stated.

"Her grandfather's stories inspired her to join the army, and we fully supported her decision," she added.

Her brother expressed pride in her accomplishments, stating, "Seeing her on TV was surreal. It took me a moment to realize it was my sister. We are all proud of her achievements."

He remarked that the score has now been settled with Pakistan.

Born in Vadodara, Gujarat, in 1974, Qureshi earned a Master's degree in biochemistry from Manonmaniam Sundaranar University in 1997.

As an officer in the vital Corps of Signals, she previously served as a military observer in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2006 and participated in flood relief efforts in Northeast India.

In 2016, she made history as the first female officer to lead an Army contingent at the multi-national training exercise Force 18, aimed at fostering peace among ASEAN nations.

"1st woman officer to lead an Army training contingent at Force18 – #ASEAN Plus multinational field training exercise in 2016. She was the only woman officer contingent commander among all #ASEAN Plus contingents," the Ministry of Defence highlighted in a Women's Day post on social media, sharing a photo of Qureshi.

She has also represented India in various countries as part of the United Nations training team, earning numerous accolades. The Army officer has conducted workshops to uplift and inspire youth, particularly girls, in insurgency-affected regions of Kashmir and West Bengal.

Throughout her career, she has received multiple awards and has motivated many, especially young women, to consider a future in the armed forces.