From Classrooms to Combat: Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh Lead Operation Sindoor
Colonel Sophia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh rose as key voices during Operation Sindoor, India’s swift and targeted response to cross-border terrorism. This coordinated strike on May 7, 2025, was launched in retaliation for the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, and the officers’ presence during the mission briefings exemplified the increasing leadership of women in India’s armed forces.
- Their scientific and engineering academic backgrounds underline the evolving skillsets shaping modern military leadership.
- Their roles highlight not only operational expertise but also strategic communication on sensitive defence matters.
Operation Sindoor: Targeted Response to Pahalgam Attack
India’s tri-services operation struck nine terror hubs across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the early hours of May 7 under the codename Sindoor. The operation directly responded to the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 civilians, including 25 Indians and one Nepali.
- The strikes were “focused, measured, and non-escalatory”, intentionally avoiding Pakistani military assets to prevent wider conflict.
- Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh delivered official briefings, detailing the scope, precision, and restraint of the mission.
Precision Without Provocation
The coordinated assault began at 1:44 AM and focused on camps linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM). Strategic sites such as Bahawalpur, Muridke, and Muzaffarabad were hit using French-origin SCALP missiles, AASM Hammer bombs, and loitering munitions.
- The use of advanced weaponry from Indian territory, without airspace intrusion, reflects a shift to tech-enabled strategic deterrence.
- Over 70 terrorists were neutralized, with more than 60 wounded, severely weakening militant infrastructure.
Colonel Qureshi confirmed that the strikes lasted 25 minutes, relying on credible intelligence that tied these sites to cross-border attacks. The operation’s codename, Sindoor—chosen by Prime Minister Modi—symbolises a tribute to the widows of the Pahalgam victims.
Colonel Sophia Qureshi: Trailblazer in Signals Corps
Colonel Qureshi, an officer in the Indian Army’s Corps of Signals, hails from a military family in Gujarat. With a postgraduate degree in biochemistry, she was commissioned through the Officers Training Academy and has since built an exceptional service record.
- She was the first woman to command an Indian Army contingent in a multinational military drill, Exercise Force 18, in Pune.
- Her UN role in the 2006 Congo peacekeeping mission and her service in counter-insurgency and disaster relief have earned her widespread commendations.
Colonel Qureshi is married to Major Tajuddin Qureshi and is a mother to their son, Sameer. During the May 7 briefing, she emphasized that the mission was to “break the backbone of terrorism” with precise and effective force.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh: Soaring Above Barriers
Wing Commander Singh, an accomplished helicopter pilot and first-generation military officer, earned her commission in December 2019. With an engineering degree and a background in the National Cadet Corps (NCC), she carved her path into aviation.
- She has flown over 2,500 hours across India’s rugged terrains, piloting Chetak and Cheetah helicopters in operations ranging from high-altitude missions to disaster response.
- In 2021, she was part of an all-women tri-services expedition to Mt. Manirang, showcasing both endurance and teamwork at 21,650 feet.
Singh, whose name translates to “daughter of the sky,” highlighted India’s readiness for future threats, noting Pakistan’s continued support for terror outfits as a justification for precision retaliation.
Shaping the Future of India’s Defence Forces
Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh, through their leadership and visibility during Operation Sindoor, have redefined the image of women in combat and command roles. Their confident delivery and operational insight reflect a growing trend in India’s military—a force increasingly inclusive, capable, and strategic.
- Their prominence marks a turning point in gender roles within the armed forces.
- The duo’s contribution to Operation Sindoor will be remembered as a defining chapter in India’s counter-terror doctrine.
