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News18
08-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Operation Sindoor: When India's Women Warriors Gave Pakistan The Perfect Response
Last Updated: At the first press meet, to give details of Operation Sindoor, two women officers, Sofiya Qureshi and Vyomika Singh, did the briefing The visuals of the wailing women as they lost their loved ones in the Pahalgam terror attack still stand etched in memory. Operation Sindoor was so named to avenge the killing of men while their women cried. But this is not the only message the Indian government wants to give to Pakistan. It's also a rebuttal to those terrorists who taunted the family members who asked, 'Why us?" by saying, 'Ask Modi". The government response to this was to get women to respond. At the first press meet, to give details of Operation Sindoor, two women officers, Sofiya Qureshi and Vyomika Singh, did the briefing. Sofiya joined the Indian Army Corps of Signals in 1999 and rose to prominence in 2016 as the first woman officer. And Vyomika Singh is an accomplished helicopter pilot. The second press conference had them brief about the continuation of Operation Sindoor, where India attacked the airbases in Lahore. Interestingly, this time the same women were asked to brief, giving details about the continuation of this operation. But this time round, both the officers were seen in combat uniform. The message again behind this is very clear: not only was it a story about women's empowerment, but it was actually about women fighting back, like the widows and family members of those who lost their lives in the Pahalgam terror attack. In fact, one of the cardinal principles of this government has been Nari Shakti, of women who break glass ceilings. While there has been initial resistance for women in combat roles in our armed forces, largely because of the efforts of the Prime Minister, he has ensured that women also emerge as fighters when it comes to the armed forces. In fact, it has often been noticed that when the Prime Minister travels, he is guarded or accompanied by a few women officers as well. The messaging behind this is very clear. Women don't have to be seen as mere objects as much as combative fighters, and therefore the country's national security is safe in the hands of these women in uniform as India unleashes an aggressive battle against Pakistan. After the attacks, it is also sending out the message that everyone is capable of taking a stand. In a rebuttal to a society that is considered to be conservative and doesn't allow women to step out, as in Pakistan, women in combat, as they were shown at the second press conference, flanked by the foreign secretary. It was very clear that this was a powerful message of women in combat, which was sent out to Pakistan. The final words of the foreign secretary, 'We will join you soon", sounded befitting for Pakistan. And he was flanked by Qureshi as well as Singh, and this was believed to be the best, toughest revenge and answer to the crime in which 26 lives were lost. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published:
Hindustan Times
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
'She's my idol': Colonel Sofiya Qureshi's brother praises her powerful message on Operation Sindoor
The brother of Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who led the media briefing on Operation Sindoor, shared a heartfelt message praising his sister's role in representing the nation. He added that through her powerful words, India delivered a firm and unmistakable message to Pakistan. Calling her his idol, Mohammed Sanjay Qureshi told news agency ANI that Indians had been waiting for the Pahalgam terror attack to be avenged. He added that he was proud to see his elder sister be the one to inform the nation about the success of the mission. 'She is my idol. We were pleasantly surprised that someon from my family got such a big opportunity. Islam teaches us that to lay down your life for your country is the biggest sacrifice one can make. My family has been a part of the Indian armed forces for decades. My grandfather, father, and now my sister have fought to protect India,' he said. Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, took centre stage as they addressed the media to inform the nation about the Indian Army's successful execution of Operation Sindoor. 'During Operation Sindoor, no military installations were targeted in Pakistan. The chosen terror sites were based on credible intelligence and their involvement in cross-border terrorism,' said Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. Born in 1974 in Gujarat's Vadodara, Col Qureshi followed in her family's footsteps and joined the Indian Army after completing a Master's degree in Biochemistry in 1997. Her grandfather was a religious teacher in the army, according to a statement issued by the Gujarat government. She began her military journey with the Indian Army Corps of Signals in 1999. In 2016, she made headlines as the first woman officer to command a multinational military exercise. She also played a key role during Operation Parakram along the Punjab border in the aftermath of the 2001 Indian Parliament attack. Her exemplary service during that high-stakes operation earned her a prestigious Commendation Card from the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C).
