First Woman to Command Multinational Army Contingent: Colonel Sophia

Operation Sindoor: The Indian Armed Forces held a press conference, jointly addressed by senior female officers Colonel Sophia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, after ‘Operation Sindoor’ was carried out during the early hours of Wednesday.

In the press conference, Colonel Qureshi informed that the terror site Markaz Subhan Allah, Bahawalpur, Pakistan, the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed, was targeted by the Indian Armed Forces and presented videos showing destroyed terror camps, including those from Muridke, where those involved in the 2008 Mumbai Terror attacks. 

Colonel Sophia Qureshi’s Background:

Colonel Qureshi is a decorated Indian Army officer and comes from the Indian state of Gujarat, and was a student of biochemistry in college. 

As per the Economic Times, she comes from a military family, as her grandfather also served in the Indian Army and is married to a Mechanised Infantry officer. 

Colonel Sophia Qureshi commissioned into the Indian Army through the Officers Training Academy in 1999 and has served in various posts across the country. 

Colonel Sophia Qureshi’s Important Services in Army:

Colonel Sophia Qureshi was the first woman officer to lead an Army training contingent in a multinational military exercise. She commanded a 40-member Indian Army contingent at ‘Exercise Force 18’.  She was the only Woman officer contingent Commander among all the ASEAN Plus contingents. The exercise held was in Pune, and 18 ASEAN Plus countries, including China, the USA, Russia, Japan, and South Korea, had participated in it.

Furthermore, as per the ET report, she had served with the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) for six years and was a part of the UN Mission in Congo in 2006. 

India’s Operation Sindoor 

India woke up to the Indian Army’s Operation Sindoor hitting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) early morning on Wednesday. 

The Ministry of Defence, in a statement, informed that nine sites were targeted, and the Indian Armed Forces’ actions were “focused, measured, and non-escalatory in nature.” It also clarified that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted.

This came after the deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22, in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were killed.

Colonel Sophia Qureshi is a trailblazing Indian Army officer who made history by leading the official press briefing after Operation Sindoor, India’s swift response to the Pahalgam terror attack. She’s a decorated officer in the Army’s Corps of Signals, responsible for military communications and information warfare.

Key Achievements:

• First Woman to Command Multinational Army Contingent: In 2016, Colonel Qureshi became the first Indian woman to command a multinational army contingent at Exercise Force 18, a large-scale military exercise hosted by India with 18 participating nations.
• UN Peacekeeping Mission: She served as a military observer in the United Nations Mission in Congo in 2006, contributing to peacekeeping efforts and humanitarian missions.
• Leadership Roles: Colonel Qureshi has received commendation cards for Operation Parakram and flood relief operations in Northeast India, demonstrating her leadership and resilience.¹ ²

Operation Sindoor Briefing

Colonel Qureshi, alongside Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, addressed the national and international media to provide details about the precision strikes on terror infrastructure. She emphasized that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted, highlighting India’s commitment to non-escalation while upholding national security.

Inspiration for Women in the Military

Colonel Qureshi’s journey serves as an inspiration for women in the armed forces, showcasing her determination, leadership, and dedication. She’s a symbol of the evolving dynamics within the Indian Armed Forces, where women are increasingly taking on leadership roles.