On May 7, 2025, India witnessed a landmark moment in military history. For the first time, two women officers, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh from the Indian Air Force and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi from the Indian Army, briefed the nation on a major military strike called Operation Sindoor. Standing tall before the media, they shared details with confidence, showing the world that women are now leading India's defence story.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi's journey began in 1974 in Vadodara, Gujarat, in a family shaped by military pride. Her grandfather served in the Indian Army, passing down values of duty. Her father, Mohammad Qureshi, was a civil engineer, while her mother, Amina Qureshi, taught mathematics as a professor.
Next came her education. In 1997, she completed a postgraduate degree in Biochemistry from Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara. She built on this at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, earning a Master's in Defence and Strategic Studies. Later, she studied strategic cybersecurity at the National Defence College, New Delhi.
Her military life started in 1999. After training at the Officers Training Academy, she joined the Army Signal Corps. Early postings took her to counter-insurgency operations in Jammu & Kashmir and North-East India. In 2001, she helped create the Army's first mobile digital communication network, a key step in modern warfare.
Challenges followed, but she overcame them. In 2002, during Operation Parakram after the 2001 Parliament attacks, she managed vital communications, earning a Commendation Card from the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief.
By 2006, she served in a UN Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. There, she monitored ceasefires, aided humanitarian efforts, and even reunited a child with her mother, winning a Force Commander Commendation.
A major milestone was hit in 2016. She became the first woman officer to lead an Indian Army contingent in the multinational ASEAN+ Exercise FORCE-18, involving over 18 countries on peacekeeping and mine-clearance. General Bipin Rawat, her late commanding officer, said she earned her role through skill, not gender. She received the Chief of Army Staff Plaque of Honour for this.
In 2024, during floods in North-East India, her communication expertise saved lives. Personally, she married Colonel Tajuddin Bagewadi in 2015; they have a son. Today, at 51, she stands as a trailblazer.
Vyomika Singh's story starts in a middle-class family in Lucknow. Her name, "Vyomika," meaning "daughter of the sky," hinted at her path. No one in her family had served in the forces before.
As a schoolgirl, she joined the National Cadet Corps (NCC), sparking her love for flying. She then pursued engineering, becoming the first family member in uniform.
Commissioned into the IAF Flying Branch in 2004, she quickly logged over 2,500 flight hours on Chetak and Cheetah helicopters. She flew in tough high-altitude areas like Jammu & Kashmir, handling troop drops and disaster relief.
A big fight was the push for permanent commissions. Women officers like her faced limits until December 18, 2019, when the Supreme Court paved the way. She got hers, opening doors for leadership and equal benefits.
Key missions that defined her. In November 2020, she led a 28-day rescue in Arunachal Pradesh, retrieving personnel and gear from a snow peak near the border.
In 2021, she joined an all-women tri-services team to climb Mt. Manirang (21,650 ft), proving endurance in extreme conditions.
Then came Operation Sindoor in 2025. She briefed the nation on its scope, goals, and success, calm and clear. Overnight, her Instagram followers jumped to 156K+, inspiring girls everywhere. She is married to Group Captain Dinesh Singh Sabharwal, also an IAF officer.
Step by step, Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh have shown that merit wins in uniform. From family roots to global stages, their rise ties defence strength to women's power. They didn't just speak for Operation Sindoor; they changed what it means to serve India.
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