Colonel Courageous: Who is Sophia Qureshi, the army officer shining at Op Sindoor briefing?
An alumni of the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (MSUB), Col. Qureshi, who is an officer from the Indian Army's Corps of Signals, belongs to a family with a long military background. Her grandfather served in the army while she is married to Major Tajuddin Qureshi of the Mechanised Infantry.
Col. Qureshi, who is from Vadodara, did her MSc in Biochemistry from MSUB in 1997 and joined the Indian Army in 1999. In 2006, she served with the United Nations Peacekeeping Operation in Congo as a military observer. She monitored ceasefires and supported humanitarian efforts, gaining invaluable experience in conflict resolution and international cooperation.
Since 2010, Col. Qureshi has been associated with the Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping Operations in New Delhi. She has also served in counterinsurgency postings across India, which honed her skills in high-pressure environments.
Qureshi's most celebrated achievement came in March 2016 when she became the first woman officer to lead a 40-member Indian Army contingent at Exercise Force 18, the largest foreign military exercise hosted by India, held in Pune. This multinational exercise had participation from 18 ASEAN Plus countries, including the United States, China, Russia, Japan and South Korea, the focus being on Peacekeeping Operations (PKOs) and Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA).
As the only woman contingent commander among the participating nations, Col. Qureshi's leadership was pivotal in training troops and fostering interoperability. Commenting on her leadership at the time, then Lieutenant General Bipin Rawat had stressed that Qureshi's leadership qualities and commitment were well earned, not mere tokenism. 'In the Army, we believe in equal opportunities and equal responsibilities. Sophia Qureshi embodies leadership qualities that transcend gender barriers,' he had said.
As Prof. Hitesh D. Raviya, officer on special duty (public relations and communication) at MSUB, said: 'Sophia Qureshi's presence at the [university] department earlier and her leadership today on the battlefield are part of the same continuum of excellence. Col. Sophia Qureshi stands as a beacon of inspiration for every student of MSU Baroda.'
Col. Qureshi's brother Mohammad Sanjay Qureshi described her May 7 presser as the family's proudest moment. 'Nothing greater than a member of our family briefing the nation [about Operation Sindoor],' he said. Recalling his sister's courageous streak since childhood, Sanjay added: 'She suffered fractures while learning to cycle, but nothing could deter her.'
Col. Qureshi has become an icon for young Indians. She actively encourages young women to join the army, delivering lectures in schools and colleges, including under Operation Sadhbhavna in the Kashmir Valley, to inspire girls to pursue military careers. Her message is clear: 'Join the Army. Work hard for the country and make everyone proud.'
In January this year, Col. Qureshi visited her alma mater—the Department of Biochemistry at MSUB, where she was warmly welcomed by the faculty and former teachers. Her visit was an inspiring moment for students and staff.
While Col. Qureshi is currently posted in Uttar Pradesh, her brother and father Taj Mohammad Qureshi live in Tandalja area of Vadodara, which has over the past decade become a deeply polarised city. However, on May 7, representing the Indian Army and leading the Operation Sindoor media briefing with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, Col. Qureshi broke several stereotypes, gender norms and reinforced the idea of India as a country united in its diversity.
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