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India Today
15-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Video: Army demonstrates tech-driven warfare in ‘Teesta Prahar' drill
The Indian Army on Thursday carried out a major field exercise named Teesta Prahar in the riverine terrain of north Bengal, demonstrating its readiness for future conflicts and seamless coordination among its combat and support large-scale drill involved participation from key wings of the Army, including the Infantry, Artillery, Armoured Corps, Mechanised Infantry, Para Special Forces, Army Aviation, Engineers, and Signals. The focus was on improving coordination and testing the Army's ability to respond swiftly in challenging and diverse terrains. advertisementThe Army's Trishakti Corps shared glimpses of the exercise on social media, saying, "Exercise #TeestaPrahar at Teesta Field Firing Range showcased synergy across Infantry, Artillery, Armoured, Mechanised Infantry, Special Forces, Aviation, Engineers and Signals. Validated: jointness, tech-enabled warfare, rapid mobility & all-terrain operations." Army showcased combat readiness in large-scale 'Teesta Prahar' exercise. (Image: X/ @trishakticorps) A key highlight of the exercise was the deployment of next-generation weapon systems and military technologies, as per a report by news agency ANI. These systems are part of the Army's ongoing efforts to modernise its forces and prepare for tech-driven future exercise included tactical drills, battle rehearsals, and quick-response manoeuvres aimed at refining operational strategies for fast-changing combat exercise, which focused on "jointness" and interoperability, came after Operation Sindoor, where the Army, and Air Force worked together to destroy terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied military leaders, including Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan and Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi, have praised the operation for its "exceptional degree of jointness and integration."Military officials also spoke about the importance of such joint operations in countering misinformation campaigns and ensuring regional peace. A senior officer described Operation Sindoor as a significant shift in India-Pakistan dynamics, calling it a demonstration of India's strength and resolve in "new-age warfare."
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
Indian Express
08-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
‘I was glued to TV, what more can I ask for?': Col Sofiya Qureshi's father-in-law in Karnataka beams with pride
When Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, the first woman officer to lead an Indian Army contingent in a multinational military exercise, briefed the media on Operation Sindoor Wednesday morning, a couple living in a small village in Karnataka's Belagavi district had reasons to cheer. Ghouse Bagewadi and his wife were overwhelmed with joy and pride as they watched their daughter-in-law Col Sofiya Qureshi on television from their home in the Konnur village of the Gokak taluk. She married their son Major Tajuddin Qureshi of the Mechanised Infantry in 2015. She was one of two women the government chose to narrate the details of Operation Sindoor; the other was Wing Commander Vyomika Singh from the Indian Air Force. 'I was glued to the television. That was a proud moment for our family and nation. I did not move an inch,' said Bagewadi. His wife was also emotional, but she assumed that her daughter-in-law was at the war front and expressed fear for her safety. While Sofiya and Tajuddin were expected to visit their village for Ramzan, they skipped this time due to work. 'My wife and I did not study after elementary school. But when you see your son and daughter-in-law serving the country at that level, what more can I ask for?' Bagewadi said. 'I spoke to my son Tajuddin, and he said everything was going well, and Sofiya probably was occupied. From Wednesday morning, I have had no other job but to attend phone calls from friends and family members after she appeared on television,' Bagewadi added. In 2016, then a 35-year-old Lieutenant Colonel, Sofiya 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. Earlier, her twin sister Shyna Sunsara said Col Sofiya Qureshi did not indicate about the media briefing even when they had talked over the phone just a day prior to it. 'We spoke yesterday and as a duty-bound Army officer that she is, she did not mention a word about what was to come this morning. It was a surprise for all of us, but a proud moment to see Sofiya at this position. She always had the passion to do something for the country,' Shyna Sunsara said.
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Business Standard
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Who is Col Sophia Qureshi, Army officer who briefed on Operation Sindoor?
India conducted ' Operation Sindoor ' on terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) in the early hours of Wednesday. The details of the military strike were shared in a joint press briefing. Notably, two women officers were part of the press briefing, which was headed by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. The women officers are Colonel Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh. Who is Colonel Sofia Qureshi? Colonel Sofia Qureshi is a decorated officer of the Indian Army's Corps of Signals. She holds the distinction of being the first woman officer to lead an Indian Army contingent in a multinational military exercise. In 2016, she also led the Indian team at 'Exercise Force 18', India's largest-hosted foreign military drill. It is worth noting that Qureshi was the only female commander among 18 participating contingents. Hailing from Gujarat, Qureshi is a postgraduate in Biochemistry. She comes from a military background. Her grandfather served in the Indian Army, while her husband is an officer from the Mechanised Infantry. Her past stints include serving at the United Nations' Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) for six years and a notable time in the United Nations Mission in Congo (2006). Qureshi described her peacekeeping duties as supporting humanitarian efforts in conflict zones and involving the monitoring of ceasefires. Calling it a "proud moment", she encouraged women in the armed forces to "work hard for the country." Operation Sindoor The launch of missile strikes at nine terrorist infrastructures in Pakistan and PoJK came in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists. India downgraded its diplomatic ties with Pakistan following the terror attack and announced a series of punitive measures against its neighbour, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and cancelling visas of all Pakistani nationals under SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES).
