New Delhi, May 7: In a decisive move, India launched Operation Sindoor, a series of surgical strikes targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), in response to growing terrorist threats, particularly after the April 22 Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives.
Two lady officers, Colonel Sophia Qureshi of the Indian Army and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force, played key roles in the operation and addressed the media at a press conference.
Colonel Sophia Qureshi is a decorated officer from the Indian Army’s Corps of Signals, hailing from Vadodara, Gujarat. She holds a postgraduate degree in Biochemistry and was commissioned through the Officers Training Academy. Qureshi has built a strong reputation for her operational acumen and leadership, making history as the first woman officer to lead an Indian Army contingent at a multinational military exercise, “Exercise Force 18”. Her international experience includes service as a military observer in the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Congo in 2006.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh is a skilled helicopter pilot in the Indian Air Force, with over 2,500 flying hours in challenging terrains, including Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast. Singh joined the National Cadet Corps (NCC) in school, which gave her early exposure to military life. She later studied engineering to build a strong technical background and received a permanent commission in the IAF’s flying branch in 2019. Her name, Vyomika, means “daughter of the sky,” reflecting her childhood dream of becoming a pilot.
The operation sent a strong message to the world about India’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. India demonstrated its capability and willingness to take decisive action against terrorist infrastructure in PoK, while emphasizing the need for international cooperation in combating terrorism. The successful conduct of Operation Sindoor showcases India’s commitment to protecting its citizens and territory
