SUHAIL KHAN
SRINAGAR, May 07 : India on Wednesday provided a detailed account of Operation Sindoor, a decisive military response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack.
In a powerful display of inclusivity and operational strength, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi was one of the two women officers who conducted the high-level briefing, underscoring the armed forces’ commitment to diversity and capability.
Alongside Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, Colonel Qureshi presented a comprehensive overview, including footage of precision strikes and maps of terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The briefing also highlighted the seamless coordination among the Army, Navy, and Air Force during the operation. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri was present at the event.
Colonel Qureshi, a third-generation army officer, stated that Operation Sindoor was launched to “deliver justice to the victims of the terror attack and their families.” She confirmed that nine terrorist camps were successfully targeted and destroyed.
“The strikes were based on verified intelligence regarding these facilities’ involvement in terror activities,” she explained. “Careful selection of targets ensured minimal risk to civilian infrastructure and lives, with all precautions taken.”
Who is Colonel Sofiya Qureshi?
An accomplished officer in the Corps of Signals, Colonel Qureshi has broken barriers throughout her career. In 2016, she became the first woman officer to lead an Indian Army contingent in a major multinational military exercise.
Then a 35-year-old Lieutenant Colonel, she commanded a 40-member team during Exercise FORCE 18, a landmark event involving ASEAN Plus nations. Focused on Humanitarian Mine Action and Peacekeeping Operations, it was the largest ground forces exercise ever held in India at the time.
A postgraduate in Biochemistry, Colonel Qureshi has served in UN Peacekeeping Operations in Congo (2006) and has extensive experience in global security missions.
Reflecting on her historic role in 2016, she said, “I feel proud, of course.” Addressing young women aspiring to serve, she added, “Work hard for the country and make everyone proud.” Her message to the nation’s youth was clear: “Join the Army.”
A Trailblazer in the Forces
The Indian Army, in an official statement, hailed Colonel Qureshi’s leadership as a “rare distinction,” noting she was the only female contingent commander in the multinational exercise.
The late General Bipin Rawat, then Army Commander of Southern Command, emphasized the military’s merit-based ethos: “In the Army, we believe in equal opportunity and responsibility. She was chosen for her abilities, not her gender.”
Colonel Qureshi’s prominent role in Operation Sindoor reaffirms India’s progressive strides in defense and its unwavering resolve against terrorism.
Suhail Khan is a filmmaker, content writer, and freelance journalist.
