Colonel Sofiya Qureshi is a distinguished officer in the Indian Army, recognized for her leadership in both peacekeeping and cyber defense. In May 2025, she co-led the media briefing for Operation Sindoor, a military operation targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).WikipediaYouTube+2Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2
Background of Operation Sindoor
Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, 2025, in response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals. The operation aimed to dismantle nine terrorist camps using precision strikes to minimize civilian casualties. Colonel Qureshi, along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force, provided detailed information during the briefing, emphasizing that no Pakistani military installations were targeted.Instagram+5Wikipedia+5Facebook+5
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi's Military Career
Commissioned into the Army Signal Corps in 1994, Colonel Qureshi has held various significant positions:Wikipedia
UN Peacekeeping Mission (2016–2017): Led over 500 Indian troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo, becoming the first woman to command an all-male Indian peacekeeping unit.Rediff+2Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2
Cyber Defence Command (2017–2022): As Deputy Director-General, she contributed to India's military cyber doctrine and led cyber threat detection initiatives.Wikipedia
Strategic Communications Division (2022–present): Oversaw the integration of electronic warfare and cyber operations.Wikipedia
Her expertise in cyber warfare and communications played a crucial role in the success of Operation Sindoor.Facebook+4Wikipedia+4Wikipedia+4
Legacy and Recognition
Colonel Qureshi's contributions have been acknowledged through various awards, including the Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal. Her leadership during Operation Sindoor highlighted the evolving role of women in India's military, symbolizing modern warfare leadership.Wikipedia
For more detailed information, you can visit her Wikipedia page.