Indian Army’s Corps of Signals officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, captured national attention on May 7, 2025. She briefed the media on Operation Sindoor, a precision strike targeting nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and PoJK. She appeared in front of the media alongside Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. Qureshi’s briefing highlighted the operation’s goal of “breaking the backbone of terrorism” while minimising collateral damage.
Meet Colonel Sofiya Qureshi
Qureshi hails from Vadodara and was commissioned in 1999. She has a postgraduate degree in biochemistry and a distinguished service record. In 2016, she made history as she became the first woman to lead an Indian contingent at Exercise Force 18, a multinational military exercise. Her career includes UN peacekeeping in Congo and training at the Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping Operations. She has a strong military background; her grandfather served in the Indian Army. She joined the Army in 1999 under the Short Service Commission at the age of 17. A mother and wife to Major Tajuddin Qureshi, she advocates for women in the military.
Operation Sindoor briefing done by two women officers from two different religions- Col Sofiya Qureshi and Wg Cdr Vyomika Singh. Excellent messaging.
— Rohini Singh (@rohini_sgh) May 7, 2025
A Historic Moment in Uniform.
Two fierce women lead the briefing on #OperationSindoor
Col Sofiya Qureshi & Wg Cdr Vyomika Singh
Symbols of grit, grace, and ground-breaking leadership.Leadership wears no single identity — only courage, competence, and commitment.
Operation… pic.twitter.com/yuQRywp1EC— Shilpa Sahu (@shilpasahu432) May 7, 2025
#WATCH | Delhi | #OperationSindoor| Col. Sofiya Qureshi, while addressing the media, presents videos showing multiple hits on the Mundrike and other terrorist camps in Pakistan and PoJK. pic.twitter.com/Ih21EklEe5
— ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2025
