Meet Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi who briefed the nation on Operation Sindoor
Colonel Sofiya Quershi is an officer from the Indian Army's Corps of Signals. She has etched her name into military history with numerous groundbreaking accomplishments. At just 35, she carries a legacy that continues to inspire many and leads by example, both on and off the field.
In March 2016, then Lieutenant Colonel Qureshi made history by becoming the first woman officer to lead an Indian Army contingent in a multinational military exercise. The event, Exercise Force 18, remains the largest foreign military exercise ever hosted by India. Conducted in Pune from March 2 to March 8, the war games brought together forces from 18 nations, including ASEAN countries and major global powers such as Japan, Russia, China, the United States, South Korea, New Zealand, and Australia.
Qureshi headed her team in critical training segments emphasising on Peacekeeping Operations (PKOs) and Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA). According to reports, she served as a military observer in the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Congo in 2006 and has been actively involved in peacekeeping operations since 2010, a field in which she continues to make distinguished contributions.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh's journey to the Air Force started with a dream when she was in school days as she wanted to fly. Her name 'Vyomika' suggests one who lives in the sky or the daughter of the sky. She went on to pursue her goal by joining National Cadet Corps (NCC) and earned a degree in engineering.
Vyomika became the first person in her family to be a part of armed forces. She was commissioned as a helicopter pilot in the Indian Air Force. In December 18, 2019, she received a permanent commission in the flying branch.
She has operated different helicopters like Cheetah and Chetak in difficult terrains in J&K, Northeast. Vyomia has logged over 2500 flying hours and participated in different missions, where the major one was in Arunachal Pradesh in November 2020, reports said.
India hit four in Pakistan, comprising Bahawalpur, Muridke, and Sialkot, and five in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK), according to ANI sources. Markaz Subhan Allah Bahawalpur
2. Markaz Taiba, Muridke
4. Mehmoona Joya Facility, Sialko
5. Markaz Ahle Hadith Barnala, Bhimber
7. Maskar Raheel Shahid, located in Kotli District
9. Shawai Nallah Camp in Muzaffarabad
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
SIT to submit report on Vijay Shah's ‘Operation Sindoor' remarks on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi to Supreme Court
Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah BHOPAL: The three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing Madhya Pradesh Tribal Affairs Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah's controversial remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi during a May 11 event in Mhow will submit its report before the Supreme Court on Monday. Shah's comments, made while referring to Operation Sindoor—India's military response to the Pahalgam terror attack—triggered nationwide outrage and allegations of disrespect towards the senior Army officer. Following criticism, the Madhya Pradesh High Court directed police to register an FIR against Shah. When the case reached the Supreme Court, the bench reprimanded him, observing that public figures must choose their words responsibly. The apex court then ordered the formation of an SIT with three IPS officers, including a woman officer, to conduct an independent probe. Headed by IG Pramod Verma and comprising DIG Kalyan Chakraborty and SP Vahini Singh, the SIT began its investigation on May 20. Over five days, it recorded statements of more than 125 individuals, including event organisers, university officials, journalists, NCC cadets, and BJP leaders present on the stage. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mystical Forest Vase: Hot Sale topgadgetlife Shop Now Undo The team also scrutinised video footage of Shah's speech to establish its context. Shah was summoned earlier this month and his statement was recorded in Jabalpur during a 25-minute questioning session. The SIT is now preparing to submit its findings on both factual and legal aspects before the Supreme Court on Monday. Under heavy political and public pressure, Shah has issued multiple apologies. In a video message on X last week, he said: 'I am ashamed and saddened by my statement which hurt sentiments. I apologise from the bottom of my heart. Colonel Sofiya Qureshi ji has worked rising above caste and society while fulfilling her national duty. She is like a sister to me.' Shah later insisted his words were a 'linguistic mistake' and not meant to insult the Armed forces. The remarks had given the opposition Congress an opportunity to target the BJP, accusing the ruling party of undermining the dignity of the Army. The Supreme Court is now set to review the SIT's findings on Monday. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Krishna Janmashtami Wishes ,, messages , and quotes !
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Pakistan Admits Over 50 Losses, Including Military Personnel, During Op Sindoor
Last Updated: Pakistan admitted to over 50 losses during India's military onslaught on May 9-10, including 13 military personnel. India and Pakistan exchanged four days of cross-border attacks. More than three months after India launched precise airstrikes targeting terror infrastructure, Pakistan has admitted to heavy losses suffered in the military offensive from May 9-10. Pakistani authorities acknowledged that more than 50 citizens, including 13 military personnel, sources told CNN-News18. Pakistan confirmed that Squadron Leader Usman Yousaf was killed during Operation Sindoor, when India attacked the Bholari airbase, by awarding him at the presidency. Several others were injured in India's strikes on Nur Khan, Sargodha, Jacobabad, Bholari and Shorkot. Several reports also confirmed that American technicians were injured at the Nur Khan airbase during Operation Sindoor, according to sources. This information came to light during an annual awards ceremony at Pakistan's President House. The awards were conferred to military personnel killed during Operation Sindoor by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the President House on the occasion of the country's Independence Day on August 14. Those personnel awarded the Tamgha-i-Basalat posthumously included Squadron Leader Usman Yousaf, Havaldar Muhammad Naveed, Naik Waqar Khalid and Lance Naik Dilawar Khan. The recipients of the Tamgha-i-Jurat included Naik Abdul Rehman, Lance Naik Ikramullah and Sepoy Adeel Akbar. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, bombing nine terrorist camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in pre-dawn strikes that killed at least 100 militants, in retaliation for a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22, in which 26 tourists were killed. The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar offshoot, had claimed responsibility for the attack. view comments First Published: August 16, 2025, 13:17 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Working as Delhi's 'mukhya sevika' to provide best infra: CM Gupta in her first I-Day speech
Advt Advt In her maiden Independence Day speech , chief minister Rekha Gupta on Friday outlined her government's progress in the first six months and pledged to rejuvenate the Yamuna river, provide the country's best infrastructure in Delhi, open Atal canteens offering meals at Rs 5 to the needy, and set up a welfare board for gig her first appearance as chief minister at Delhi's Independence Day function, Gupta hoisted the tricolor at the Chhatrasal Stadium and presented the President's Correctional Service Medal to three prison heavy downpour, Gupta, in her address, called herself the "mukhya sevika" of Delhi and asserted that the BJP government will work to free the city from filth, corruption, and red chief minister presented her government's roadmap for a cleaner, greener, and more developed Delhi, highlighting key initiatives in infrastructure, housing, education, sports, youth welfare, and healthcare."As we move towards 100 years of freedom, our pledge is to take every street, every neighbourhood, and every citizen's life to new heights," she statedEmphasising that she did not want to make any big promises or announcements, Gupta said her endeavours were directed towards what the common people in Delhi aspired for - a better paid tribute to the nation's freedom fighters and hailed the armed forces for the success of Operation Sindoor. Veteran freedom fighter and a member of the Indian National Army (INA), Rangaswamy Madhavan Pillai, 99, was felicitated by Gupta at the Delhi the heart of the country and the Yamuna river the "soul" of the city, the chief minister noted that the BJP government was working for the national capital's rejuvenation through multiple interventions."I don't just promise but pledge to rejuvenate the Yamuna. Several promises were made in the past to clean the Yamuna, but little was achieved," she assured that the Yamuna will be clean enough for citizens to see the sun's reflection in its waters, and people will feel happy to perform veneration on its that her government is going to open Atal canteens on the birth anniversary of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Gupta stated that meals will be provided to the needy for Rs 5, including daily wagers and workers in the assured welfare steps for the poor and stated that her government will come up with a welfare board for the gig workers in the chief minister also highlighted her government's efforts to provide permanent houses to slum dwellers of the that her government was working to repair the city's roads, which had been in a state of neglect, Gupta added that the issue of waterlogging during rains was being addressed through the desilting of drains, among other claimed that this year, rainwater drained off rapidly from the roads and highways due to the efforts of the last six BJP returned to power in Delhi after 27 years, winning the assembly polls held in February this year. Gupta, along with her cabinet ministers, took the oath as chief minister on February that Delhi would soon be the city of dreams, she asserted that the BJP government was committed to providing Delhi with the best infrastructure in the the achievements of her government, Gupta said the Delhi Assembly recently passed a bill to regulate fees of private schools, and her government will ensure that parents don't face financial burdens due to arbitrary fee informed that five major hospital expansion projects will be inaugurated in August, adding 1,300 new beds, modern OPDs, and advanced medical equipment to the healthcare infrastructure. Furthermore, 28 hospitals have been assigned new medical superintendents, and 1,500 nurses have been given permanent appointments, she government aims to set up 1,100 arogya mandirs (wellness centres), of which 166 have already been completed, she chief minister emphasised that her government had promised to provide the highest rewards to medal winners in the Olympics and Commonwealth Games."For the first time, we will ensure job security for the youth who contribute to the growth and development of sports in Delhi," she said that, with the support of the Central government, nearly 400 kilometres of Metro network have been completed, carrying 50 lakh passengers daily, and new Metro lines are being rapidly chief minister concluded her address, saying she had more to convey but had to wrap up for the sake of the children getting drenched in the she went out onto the stadium ground to meet and greet the marching contingents amid the rain without an umbrella, and interacted with schoolchildren as well as personnel from the Delhi Police and Fire Services.
