Colonel Sophia Qureshi of the Indian Army grabbed the attention as she, along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh from the Air Force, came forward to collectively brief the nation about Operation Sindoor—India’s precise cross-border operation in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
In a time of national grief and strategic importance, Colonel Qureshi’s composed demeanor on the platform was more than merely symbolic—it was the result of years of frontline experience, international assignments, and innovative leadership.
A symbol of India’s changing military values
Colonel Qureshi is renowned for being the first female officer to command an Indian Army unit in a multinational military drill. In 2016, she led India’s forces during ‘Exercise Force 18’, the biggest foreign military exercise ever conducted by India. Among the 18 countries involved, she distinguished herself not only as the only female contingent commander but also as a symbol of India’s changing military values—prioritizing skill over tradition.
Colonel Qureshi, hailing from Gujarat, possesses a master’s degree in biochemistry and is part of a military lineage, with her grandfather having served in the Indian Army. She is married to an officer in the Mechanised Infantry, further embedding a life immersed in the values of discipline and military service.
Colonel Qureshi has worked with UNPO during UN Mission in Congo
Her international experience encompasses six years with United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (PKO), particularly during the UN Mission in Congo (2006). Throughout her time, she oversaw ceasefires and assisted humanitarian efforts in areas of active conflict. Looking back on her service, she referred to it as a “proud moment,” encouraging other female officers to “put in effort for the nation and make everyone proud.”
Colonel Qureshi’s rise in the military has never been viewed as mere tokenism.
The late General Bipin Rawat, who was the Army Commander of Southern Command, stated: “Her selection was driven by her skills and leadership traits, not her gender.”
