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News18
09-05-2025
- General
- News18
'What More Can I Ask For?' In Karnataka, A Moment Of Pride For Col Sofia Qureshi's Father-In-Law
Last Updated: Colonel Qureshi shot to the limelight in 2016 at the age of 35 when she led a 40-member contingent in Exercise FORCE 18 that involved ASEAN Plus countries In a powerful image that captured the imagination of billions and became a symbol of India's women power and resilience, the nation watched in rapt attention as two women in uniform—Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh—briefed the world about Operation Sindoor. As images of the women—along with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri—flooded social media, setting a new benchmark in not just India's military narrative but pushing a calculated assertion of the country's modern identity, for a couple in a small village in Karnataka's Belagavi district, the pride felt more personal. Speaking to Indian Express, Ghouse Bagewadi, Qureshi's father-in-law, said he was glued to the television. 'That was a proud moment for our family and nation. I did not move an inch," he said. Colonel Qureshi married Major Tajuddin Qureshi of the Mechanised Infantry in 2015. Her mother-in-law, though proud of her achievements, expressed fears for her safety. Bagewadi shared that his son and daughter-in-law were scheduled to visit their village for Ramzan but work commitments held them back. He shared with Indian Express that while he and his wife had not studied beyond elementary school, he was proud of what his children had achieved. While his son did not share specifics of Colonel Qureshi's immediate responsibilities with him, Bagewadi said he had been fielding calls from friends and family members since her television appearance. 'What more can I ask for?" he asked. Colonel Qureshi shot to the limelight in 2016 at the age of 35 when she led a 40-member contingent in Exercise FORCE 18 that involved ASEAN Plus countries—the largest ground forces exercise ever conducted on Indian soil at the time. She also served in the United Nations Peacekeeping Operation in Congo in 2006 and has been associated with peacekeeping operations for over six years. During the Operation Sindoor briefing, Colonel Qureshi's way of briefing with details was a blend of operational and diplomatic firmness. She emphasised that the strike was a pre-emptive counter-terror operation targeting terror launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC). News18 had earlier reported that Qureshi, calm and authoritative, stood as the quiet testament to the evolving gender dynamics within India's defence forces, where competence is commanding the room, not gender. First Published: May 09, 2025, 10:45 IST
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Eid-like' joy in Belagavi village as Col Sofiya Qureshi briefs nation on Operation Sindoor
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi A wave of pride and celebration has swept through a quiet village of Konnur in Karnataka's Belagavi district after Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, daughter-in-law of local resident Mohammed Ghaus Sab Bagewadi, appeared on television to brief the nation about ' Operation Sindoor ' - the Indian armed forces' retaliatory strike on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Operation Sindoor 'Op Sindoor's precision & execution was unimaginable': Rajnath Singh Operation Sindoor: India repels drone, missile attack across LoC Operation Sindoor: Several airports in India closed - check full list Col Sofiya Qureshi , who is married to Ghaus Sab Bagewadi's son Tajuddin Bagewadi, who's also serving in Army, has long been a trailblazer. She holds the distinction of being the first Indian woman officer to lead a military contingent at the Asean Plus Multinational Military Exercise 'Force 18'. She is currently posted in Jammu, while her husband is stationed in Jhansi. Speaking to reporters, an emotional Ghaus Sab Bagewadi said, 'I got to know yesterday afternoon. When I saw her (Sofiya Qureshi) on the television my joy knew no bounds. People have been visiting our house from the morning to greet us.' Though he spoke to his son on Thursday, Bagewadi said he hadn't yet had the chance to talk to his daughter-in-law. The sight of Col Qureshi on national television, speaking with authority about the military's precision strike, sparked jubilation in the household. 'There is Eid like celebration as all our relatives and friends have been visiting our house calling on us,' he added. The sense of pride was not limited to his family. Locals from all walks of life thronged his residence, chanting slogans like 'Hindustan Zindabad' and 'Jai Hind' in support of the armed forces. Reacting to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, Bagewadi said, 'The terrorists who shot dead innocent people after asking about their faith lack humanity. They are satans. Even Allah will not pardon them. They will pay for their deeds here only.' He didn't mince words while talking about Pakistan either. 'Pakistan is a demon. It never attacks from the front. It always targets from behind.' Despite the grief over the terror attack, Bagewadi said the moment had brought together his entire neighbourhood -- home to diverse communities including Marathas -- in celebration. 'All my neighbours were proud to see that my children are serving in the Army. They were extremely happy. They invited me and honoured me. We are living here like a family,' he said. He ended on a hopeful note, expressing his desire to see his children continue their service to the nation: 'I hope they never turn away from their duty.'
United News of India
08-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
A daughter and a defender: Father-in-law salutes Colonel Sofiya
Belagavi, May 8 (UNI) Colonel Sofiya Qureshi's involvement in the ongoing Operation Sindoor has brought pride and honour not just to the armed forces, but also to her family and Belagavi. Her father-in-law, Ghousesaab Babusab Bagewadi, says her service represents the growing strength and leadership of Indian women in uniform. "She is our daughter, serving in the Army and doing exceptional work," Bagewadi told reporters. "We always encourage her to continue her good service, she's making us proud. I aspire to lead a life as honourable as hers." Colonel Sofiya had visited the family six months ago and was expected to return for Bakrid. Bagewadi said he only learned of her role in Operation Sindoor on Wednesday evening. "I wasn't home at the time, my friend told me when I returned. I was overwhelmed with happiness. I couldn't sleep all night, and media persons kept coming for interviews." While he couldn't speak to her directly due to her ongoing briefings, Bagewadi said he spoke to his son, who assured him that Colonel Sofiya was safe and in good health. "The community is showing us great respect. People are coming to congratulate us, offer prayers, and even presented me with a bouquet, saying our family has brought honour to the community.' Operation Sindoor involved a swift and high-risk counter-insurgency manoeuvre in sensitive zones in PoK and Pakistan. Speaking with conviction and emotion, Bagewadi added: "Caste and religion are senseless divisions. What Pakistan does is meaningless, death doesn't evade Pakistanis by the grace of Allah. They strike from behind, but we Indian Muslims fight from the front. That is why Allah grants us honour and dignity." "If our daughters can show such strength, imagine the strength our sons possess," he said. "But our duty must always be to save lives. If I see a child drowning in a river, I won't stand by—I will jump in to save him. Our true identity is that we are Hindustanis. If we live by that, Allah will never let us go hungry." In a symbol of communal harmony, Bagewadi revealed that the family has also been invited to attend temple jatras (festival). "That's the India we believe in, mutual respect, unity, and service," he said. UNI BDN SSP
