Women Officers Prominent in 'Operation Sindoor' Media Briefing
The official media briefing detailing "Operation Sindoor," India's retaliatory strikes against alleged terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on Wednesday, May 7th, prominently featured two distinguished women officers from the armed forces: Colonel Sofiya Qureshi of the Indian Army and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force. Their visible roles alongside Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri have been interpreted as a significant reflection of India's commitment to honouring the victims of the preceding Pahalgam attack and the evolving prominence of women in the nation's defence services.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi: A Trailblazer
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, an officer from the Corps of Signals, has a notable career marked by several firsts. In 2016, she made history as the first woman officer to command an Indian Army contingent in a multi-national military exercise, "Exercise Force 18," which focused on peacekeeping operations. Her leadership qualities were recognised by senior military commanders. Colonel Qureshi also served in the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Congo in 2006 and possesses extensive experience in peacekeeping operations. Hailing from Gujarat with a postgraduate degree in biochemistry, she comes from a family with a military background.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh: Accomplished Aviator
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, who presented the official operational details of "Operation Sindoor" during the briefing, is an accomplished helicopter pilot in the Indian Air Force. Commissioned in 2019, she has accumulated over 2,500 flying hours, operating Chetak and Cheetah helicopters in challenging terrains, including Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast. Her service includes leading significant rescue operations, in Arunachal Pradesh - November 2020. An engineering graduate, Wing Commander Singh was the first in her family to join the armed forces, a path she pursued from her school days through the National Cadet Corps (NCC).
The participation of Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh in communicating critical national security information mirrors not only their individual achievements and expertise but also the role women are playing across various capacities within the Indian armed forces. Their presence at such a high-profile briefing is seen as a proof to meritocracy and the evolving dynamics of India's defence establishment.
