As the dust settled after India’s decisive military response to the Pahalgam terror attack, the nation witnessed a historic first. Two women officers, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi of the Indian Army and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force, stepped forward to lead the official press briefing following Operation Sindoor. Their appearance was not only symbolic but a powerful assertion of the evolving role of women in the nation’s defence apparatus.
Operation Sindoor: A Precision Response to Terror
The operation, launched in the early hours of May 7, was India’s retaliation for the horrific April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 civilians were killed, including a foreign tourist. Reports indicated that the attackers targeted Hindu men after confirming their religion. In response, India carried out a swift and calculated military operation, launching 24 missiles in a 25-minute window to strike nine terror camps spread across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The targets were linked to known terror outfits such as Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, joined by Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh, called the strikes a “measured and proportionate” response. According to Misri, India had credible intelligence indicating further planned attacks and was compelled to act in order to deter future cross-border terrorism.
The Women Leading India’s Military Messaging
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi’s presence was a moment of national pride. Commissioned into the Indian Army in 1990, she has over three decades of exemplary service. Her achievements include leading the Indian Army’s training contingent at the ASEAN Plus ‘Force 18’ multinational exercise in 2016, where she became the first woman officer to command an Indian contingent in such an event. She has also represented India in United Nations peacekeeping missions in the Congo and has consistently championed the cause of women joining the armed forces. Her commanding presence at the press conference was a reminder of her unshakable dedication to service and her belief in the power of women in defence.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2004, is another shining example of leadership. An expert helicopter pilot, she has flown both the Chetak and Cheetah helicopters in multiple high-risk zones. Her contributions to flood relief operations in Northeast India earned her formal recognition from the Signal Officer-in-Chief. Promoted to Wing Commander in 2017, she has built a spotless service record that exemplifies commitment and competence. Her calm and articulate handling of the media briefing was testament to her operational maturity and strategic clarity.
Targeted Strikes, Strategic Impact
The operation, while brief, was devastating in its precision. Missiles struck key locations including Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Bahawalpur, Rawalakot, Chakswari, Bhimber, Neelum Valley, Jhelum, and Chakwal. These areas were known to host terror infrastructure, including command centres, training camps, arms depots, and logistics hubs. Of the nine sites targeted, five were located in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and four in mainland Pakistan. Bahawalpur, in particular, had long been a Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold.
Government sources confirmed that over 70 terrorists were neutralised and more than 60 were wounded. All objectives were achieved with minimal civilian casualties. A combination of air-launched and ground-launched precision-guided munitions was used. UAVs and satellite imagery provided real-time monitoring to verify destruction, ensuring surgical accuracy and avoiding damage to civilian structures.
Symbolism and Strength in Leadership
The decision to place Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh at the forefront of the post-operation communication effort is a powerful statement about India’s evolving military ethos. It sends a clear message that the country’s defence is being led by the best minds and most capable professionals, regardless of gender. Their leadership also reflects a broader national commitment to gender equality and the increasing visibility of women in strategic, operational, and command roles.
Operation Sindoor, named in tribute to the wives and families of those lost in terror attacks, was more than just a military response. It was a reaffirmation of national resolve and a declaration that India will continue to respond with strength, precision, and dignity in the face of terror.
