Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh were chosen to lead the public briefing on Operation Sindoor, India’s response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. Their leadership symbolised not only India’s military resolve but also honoured the memory of the victims and their families, especially the widows left behind.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi’s Milestones
- First Indian woman officer to lead a military contingent in a multinational exercise, during Exercise Force 18 in 2016.
- Commanded Indian troops in presence of participants from 18 countries, including China, Russia, the U.S., and ASEAN nations.
- Served as a United Nations peacekeeping officer in Congo and contributed to peace operations since 2010.
- Belongs to a family with deep military roots, including a grandfather in the Army and a husband in Mechanised Infantry.
- Seen as a symbol of strength and progress, challenging outdated perceptions of women in uniform.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh’s Achievements
- Commissioned helicopter pilot in the Indian Air Force with over 2,500 flying hours.
- Operated in extreme environments such as Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeast.
- Led crucial rescue missions in high-altitude areas like Arunachal Pradesh in 2020.
- Part of the 2021 tri-services all-women mountaineering team to Mt. Manirang (21,650 ft).
- First in her family to join the armed forces, driven by her early dream of flying and shaped by her NCC background and engineering training.
Representation and Message
Their presence at the Operation Sindoor briefing was more than symbolic. It was a strong statement about India’s inclusive defence leadership, combat readiness, and recognition of women’s roles in operational and strategic fronts. Both officers represent a growing wave of women taking on frontline and leadership roles across the Indian Armed Forces.
