In a compelling press briefing earlier today, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh—two fearless officers of the Indian Armed Forces—stood at the forefront of India’s bold counter-terror response: Operation Sindoor. As India executed one of its most precise and far-reaching strikes in recent memory, the presence of these two women was more than symbolic. It marked a defining moment in the evolving narrative of India’s military—where women are not just participants, but leaders in combat and strategic operations. Colonel Qureshi, a trailblazer who has redefined the role of women in uniform, and Wing Commander Singh, a decorated combat aviator, together embodied the new face of India’s armed forces: capable, committed, and inclusive.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi: Leading by Example
A career officer from the Indian Army‘s Corps of Signals, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, has consistently broken barriers. She made history as the first Indian woman officer to lead a military training contingent at the Force 18 multinational exercise, which includes ASEAN and allied nations. She was the only female commander among all participating nations, embodying India’s commitment to gender inclusion in the military.
With extensive experience in UN peacekeeping missions, including a deployment to Congo in 2006, Col Qureshi has contributed to humanitarian mine action and peacekeeping training globally. Former Southern Army Commander Lt Gen Bipin Rawat commended her leadership and highlighted her role as a symbol of equal responsibility and opportunity in the Army.
Addressing the media after the strikes, she summed up the ethos of Operation Sindoor:
“The objective is clear: there will be consequences for attacks on Indian civilians. Our response was swift, just, and targeted.”
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh: From a Childhood Dream to Combat Pilot
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh’s journey began with a dream of flying. Nurtured through school, that dream took shape when she joined the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and later pursued an engineering degree. She became the first member of her family to join the armed forces.
Commissioned as a helicopter pilot in the Indian Air Force, she was granted a permanent commission in the flying branch on December 18, 2019. Since then, she has logged over 2,500 flying hours, piloting aircraft such as the Chetak and Cheetah helicopters in some of India’s most challenging terrains, including Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeast.
Her operational credentials are formidable. She has led several high-risk rescue missions, notably in Arunachal Pradesh in November 2020, navigating remote, high-altitude regions with extreme weather — missions where aerial support can mean the difference between life and death.
In 2021, she participated in a tri-services all-women mountaineering expedition to Mt. Manirang (21,650 ft). This gruelling mission, recognised by the Chief of Air Staff, showcased her endurance and leadership and highlighted the growing presence of women in physically and mentally demanding defence roles.
At the Operation Sindoor briefing, Wing Commander Singh emphasized the precision of the strikes:
“The targets were carefully chosen based on credible intelligence. Civilian areas were deliberately avoided. This was a responsible and calibrated operation.”
A New Chapter in India’s Military History
As India delivered justice through Operation Sindoor, the presence of officers like Col Qureshi and Wg Cdr Singh highlighted a deeper shift — one where women are no longer on the margins of combat narratives but shaping them at every level.
Their service is not just inspirational; it is operationally critical. They are commanders, rescuers, mountaineers, and spokespersons — embodying India’s new generation of women warriors who redefine what it means to serve the nation.
Huma Siddiqui
