Colonel Sofiya Qureshi
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi is a trailblazing officer in the Indian Army, renowned for her pioneering leadership, technical expertise, and commitment to service. Her career is marked by several historic milestones that have significantly advanced the role of women in India’s armed forces.
🎓 Early Life and Education
Born in 1981 in Vadodara, Gujarat, Col. Qureshi hails from a family with a strong military tradition—her grandfather served as a religious teacher in the Indian Army . She pursued a Master’s degree in Biochemistry from Maharaja Sayajirao University . Driven by a passion for national service, she left a university teaching position and an unfinished Ph.D. to join the Indian Army in 1999 through the Officers Training Academy in Chennai.
Military Career and Achievements
Corps of Signals and Technical Innovations
Commissioned into the Corps of Signals, Col. Qureshi has been instrumental in modernising the Army’s communication systems. She contributed to developing the Army’s first mobile digital communication network and later led modernisation efforts at the Signal Intelligence Wing at Army Headquarters.
UN Peacekeeping and International Leadership
In 2006, she served in the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Congo, focusing on ceasefire monitoring and humanitarian aid . Her leadership was further recognised in 2016 when she became the first Indian woman officer to lead an Indian Army contingent in a multinational military exercise, commanding the Indian team at ‘Exercise Force 18’.
Cyber Defence and Strategic Roles
Col. Qureshi has also played a pivotal role in India’s cyber defence initiatives. As Deputy Director-General of the Cyber Defence Command, she helped define India’s military cyber doctrine and led threat detection initiatives.
Operation Sindoor and Recent Contributions
In 2025, following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Col. Qureshi led a cyber-integrated rapid deployment unit during Operation Sindoor, India’s largest cross-border strike since Balakot. She also co-led the official briefing on the operation, marking a significant moment in showcasing women’s leadership in the armed forces.
Awards and Recognition
Col. Qureshi’s exemplary service has been recognised with numerous awards, including the Vishisht Seva Medal, UN Peacekeeping Medal, and the Global Peace Gandhi Award in 2019 . Her achievements were also cited in the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling granting permanent commissions to women officers in the Indian Army.
👩👧 Personal Life and Legacy
Married to Colonel Tajuddin Bagewadi of the Mechanised Infantry, Col. Qureshi balances her professional commitments with family life, raising a son . Her journey continues to inspire many, especially young women aspiring to serve in the armed forces, demonstrating that dedication and excellence transcend gender barriers.
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✈️ Wing Commander Vyomika Singh
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh is a distinguished helicopter pilot in the Indian Air Force (IAF), renowned for her leadership and operational expertise. Her recent role in co-leading the media briefing on Operation Sindoor—a strategic military response to the Pahalgam terror attack—has brought her national recognition.
✈️ Early Life and Education
Born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Vyomika Singh’s name aptly means “one who resides in the sky,” reflecting her lifelong aspiration to fly. Inspired by her participation in the National Cadet Corps (NCC) during her school and college years, she pursued an engineering degree from Delhi College of Engineering. She was the first in her family to join the armed forces, marking a significant personal and familial milestone.
Military Career
Commissioned into the IAF’s Flying Branch on December 18, 2004, Singh has accumulated over 2,500 flying hours, operating Chetak and Cheetah helicopters in challenging terrains like Jammu and Kashmir and Northeast India. Her assignments have included reconnaissance, troop transport, and rescue missions. Notably, in November 2020, she led a complex rescue operation in Arunachal Pradesh, providing critical air support in remote areas.
In December 2019, Singh was granted a permanent commission in the Flying Branch, allowing her to continue serving in a long-term capacity. She also participated in a tri-services all-women mountaineering expedition to Mount Manirang in Himachal Pradesh in 2021, as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations.
Operation Sindoor
On May 7, 2025, Wing Commander Singh co-led a media briefing in New Delhi alongside Colonel Sophia Qureshi and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, detailing Operation Sindoor. The operation involved precision strikes on nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, conducted in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. Singh emphasised the use of advanced technology to avoid civilian casualties and confirmed the successful destruction of all targeted camps.
👩👧 Personal Life and Legacy
Wing Commander Singh is married to Wing Commander Dinesh Singh Sabharwal, an officer in the Indian Air Force. Her parents, both retired teachers, have expressed immense pride in her achievements. Singh’s journey from a schoolgirl with dreams of flying to a leading figure in the IAF serves as an inspiration, particularly for young women aspiring to serve in the armed forces.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh’s career exemplifies dedication, skill, and the evolving role of women in India’s defence forces. Her contributions continue to inspire and pave the way for future generations.