Women of Valor: Col Sofia Qureshi and Wg Cdr Vyomika Singh Lead from the Front in Operation Sindoor

New Delhi: In a landmark moment for India’s armed forces, two fearless women officers—Colonel Sofia Qureshi of the Indian Army and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force—stood at the forefront of the ‘Operation Sindoor’ press briefing, presenting a bold and unified front alongside Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. The operation, which saw precision strikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), marked not just a military milestone but also a celebration of women leadership in India’s defence forces.

The joint press conference, which featured video footage of the surgical airstrikes on terrorist hideouts, was a rare event where the bravery and professionalism of these two officers were put in the national spotlight.

Colonel Sofia Qureshi: Breaking Barriers in Combat and Diplomacy

Colonel Sofia Qureshi, a decorated officer from Gujarat, represents a proud legacy of military service. Coming from a family steeped in armed forces tradition—her grandfather served in the Indian Army and her father was an army religious teacher—Col Qureshi’s own journey has been one of trailblazing leadership and operational excellence.

Commissioned in 1999 after completing training at the Officers Training Academy, Chennai, she has participated in numerous key missions. She served as a military observer with the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Congo in 2006, and since 2010, she has continued to contribute to international peace operations. Her critical role in Operation Parakram along the Punjab border and her service during flood relief missions in Northeast India earned her commendations from both the GOC-in-C and SO-in-C.

A defining moment in her career came in 2016, when she made history as the first woman to lead an Indian military contingent in Exercise Force 18, a multinational military exercise involving 18 nations. She was the only female officer among all participating contingents—an inspiring symbol of India’s growing gender inclusivity in defence.

Now, as one of the faces of Operation Sindoor, Col Qureshi has yet again exemplified leadership under pressure. Her strategic inputs were instrumental in the planning and communication of the operation, once again proving that women officers are integral to India’s military prowess.

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh: Skies Are No Limit

Joining Col Qureshi at the press conference was Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, a highly skilled helicopter pilot with over 2,500 hours of flying experience. An alumnus of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and the first in her family to join the armed forces, Wg Cdr Singh has consistently flown in some of the most challenging terrains across India, including Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeast.

Commissioned in the Indian Air Force’s flying branch, she received her permanent commission in 2019. Her command over aircraft such as the Chetak and Cheetah helicopters has proven crucial in multiple high-risk rescue and relief operations.

One of her notable achievements came in November 2020, when she led a daring rescue mission in Arunachal Pradesh, operating in high-altitude areas with extreme weather conditions. Her work saved lives in remote regions where air evacuation was the only hope. In 2021, she scaled new heights—literally—by joining an all-women tri-services mountaineering team to Mount Manirang (21,650 ft), a feat praised by senior defence leaders including the Air Force Chief.

As the lead spokesperson for the Air Force during the briefing on Operation Sindoor, Wg Cdr Singh’s composed and articulate presentation not only informed the public but also reaffirmed the strength of women in combat roles.

A Symbol of Empowered Defence

Operation Sindoor not only showcased India’s resolve to act against terrorism but also highlighted a transformative moment in the Indian military’s journey toward gender equality and empowered leadership. With Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh leading the conversation, India sent a clear message—not just to its adversaries, but to the world—that courage knows no gender.

Team Maverick.