Trailblazers in Uniform: Meet the women who led ‘Operation Sindoor’ briefing

THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK

New Delhi, May 7: Two extraordinary women stood at the forefront of India’s high-stakes overnight air operation—Operation Sindoor—which struck nine terror facilities across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi led the national briefing on the operation, embodying the changing face of leadership in India’s armed forces.

Precision, Power and Poise

Wing Commander Singh and Colonel Qureshi addressed the media alongside Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, detailing the precision airstrikes conducted in the early hours of May 7. The coordinated operation targeted key terror hubs in Bahawalpur, Muridke, Sialkot, Barnala, Bhimber, and Kotli.

Among the high-value targets eliminated were Markaz Subhan Allah in Bahawalpur and Markaz Taiba in Muridke—infamously linked to the 26/11 attacks.

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Colonel Sofiya Qureshi: A Pioneer in Olive Green

An officer from the Corps of Signals, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi broke new ground in 2016 when she became the first woman to command an Indian Army contingent in a multinational exercise—Exercise Force 18—involving 18 nations.

Her illustrious career includes a deployment as a UN military observer in Congo (2006) and extensive experience in peacekeeping operations since 2010, highlighting her expertise in international military cooperation.

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh: Flying Through Glass Ceilings

A helicopter pilot with over 2,500 flight hours, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh carved her path into the armed forces as the first in her family to don the uniform. With an engineering background and training through the NCC, she earned a permanent commission in 2019.

She has piloted Cheetah and Chetak helicopters across the tough terrains of Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeast. A standout mission in Arunachal Pradesh in 2020 marked her resolve and resilience in high-risk zones.

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A New Chapter in Defence Leadership

Operation Sindoor was a milestone not just in national defence strategy, but in the visible shift toward inclusive leadership. The commanding presence of Singh and Qureshi underscored the rising role of women in India’s military command.

Their leadership is not just a symbol—it’s a standard for the generations to come.