In a significant moment, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, along with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, addressed the media about Operation Sindoor, providing details of India’s response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives on April 22. This is historic when Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh jointly addressed the nation on Operation Sindoor.
The decision to have Qureshi and Vyomika, two women officers, lead the briefing is symbolic, demonstrating India’s unwavering commitment to ending terrorism and honouring the widows of those who tragically lost their lives.
Sofiya Qureshi
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, from the Indian Army’s Corps of Signals, stands out not just for her rank but for the remarkable journey she has carved for herself. At just 35, she has already broken several barriers and continues to lead with grit, grace, and quiet determination. In March 2016, she made headlines by becoming the first woman officer to lead an Indian Army contingent at a multinational military exercise. That event- Exercise Force 18- wasn’t just another drill. Held in Pune, it brought together 18 nations, including global powers like the US, Russia, China, and several ASEAN countries. For India, it was a proud moment, and Sofiya Qureshi was right at the centre of it.
But her story doesn’t start or end there. A decade earlier, in 2006, she was part of the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Congo, serving as a military observer. There, she focused on protecting women and children from the brutal realities of conflict- a role that demanded not just discipline, but deep empathy. Since 2010, she has also been part of the Centre for UN Peacekeeping Operations in New Delhi, helping train observers from India and abroad.
Her service record- Operation Parakram along the tense Punjab border to critical flood relief missions in India’s Northeast. For her exceptional dedication, she has been recognised with commendation cards from senior military leadership.
Colonel Qureshi isn’t just a soldier- she’s a role model for many, showing what quiet courage and steady leadership look like in action.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh’s journey to the Air Force started with a dream when she was in her school days as she wanted to fly. She went on to pursue her goal by joining National Cadet Corps (NCC) and earned a degree in engineering.
Vyomika became the first person in her family to be a part of the armed forces. She was commissioned as a helicopter pilot in the Indian Air Force. In December 18, 2019, she received a permanent commission in the flying branch.
She has operated different helicopters like Cheetah and Chetak in difficult terrains in J&K, Northeast. Vyomia has logged over 2500 flying hours and participated in different missions, where the major one was in Arunachal Pradesh in November 2020, reports said.
