Colonel Sophia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh are distinguished officers of the Indian Armed Forces who have garnered national attention for their leadership roles during and after Operation Sindoor, the precision military strikes launched by Indian armed forces early Wednesday on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK).
Who is Colonel Sophia Qureshi?
Born in Vadodara, Gujarat, in 1981, Colonel Sophia Qureshi hails from a family with a strong military tradition. She holds a postgraduate degree in biochemistry and joined the Indian Army in 1999 through the Short Service Commission at the age of 17.
She serves in the Corps of Signals.
Career Highlights:
In 2016, she became the first woman officer to lead an Indian Army contingent in a multinational military exercise, commanding the 40-member Indian team at Exercise Force 18 in Pune.
She has extensive experience in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, including a notable stint in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2006.
Her service record includes participation in Operation Parakram on the Punjab border and receiving commendations for her work during flood relief operations in Northeast India.
Role in Operation Sindoor:
Colonel Qureshi served as the lead spokesperson for the Indian Army during the Operation Sindoor press briefing, providing detailed insights into the objectives and outcomes of the mission.
Personal Life:
She is married to an officer from the Mechanised Infantry.
Who is Wing Commander Vyomika Singh?
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh is an accomplished officer in the Indian Air Force (IAF). While specific details about her early life and career are limited in public sources, she has emerged as a prominent figure due to her role in Operation Sindoor.
She joined the National Cadet Corps (NCC), and then took up engineering before eventually becoming the first in her family to join the armed forces. She was granted a permanent commission in the IAF’s flying branch as a helicopter pilot on December 18, 2019, reported Business Today.
She is reported to have led a key rescue operation in Arunachal Pradesh, flying in extreme conditions to evacuate civilians in 2020.
Role in Operation Sindoor:
Wing Commander Singh co-led the media briefing alongside Colonel Qureshi, representing the IAF’s involvement in the operation. She provided critical information on the air strikes, including the deployment of advanced weaponry such as SCALP cruise missiles and AASM Hammer bombs from Rafale fighter jets.
Conclusion
The leadership of Colonel Sophia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh during Operation Sindoor mark a significant moment in the Indian Armed Forces, highlighting the increasing roles and recognition of women in military operations and strategic communications.
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