Operation Sindoor: Spotlight on Sophia Qureshi and Vyomika Singh

After various speculations following the terrorist attack in Kashmir, India has launched a military operation in Pakistan. The operation, conducted on the night of Tuesday (May 6), has been named ‘Operation Sindoor’. According to India, the operation was carried out as retaliation for the incident in which the sindoor (vermilion) of the wives was wiped off after 26 tourists were killed in Pahalgam.

While the operation has sparked widespread discussion and criticism in international diplomatic circles, the presence of two Indian female military officers—Colonel Sophia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh—at the official briefing has also drawn significant attention.

At Wednesday’s press conference with India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Mishra, the presence of the two female military officers has been highlighted by many as a symbol of India’s women empowerment. Diplomats also view their appearance not only as a representation of gender, but also as a message of India's secularism—standing together under one banner despite following different religions. Sophia and Vyomika gave detailed accounts of how and when Indian forces destroyed the bases of terrorist group in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir and Pakistan. Since then, public curiosity has grown, and there is widespread interest in learning more about these two women.

Colonel Sophia Qureshi
Colonel Sophia Qureshi of the Indian Army’s Signals Corps has long been known for her courage and leadership. At just 35 years old, she became the first Indian woman to lead a multinational military exercise—Exercise Force 18—held in Pune in 2016. She was the commanding officer of India’s 40-member team in the exercise, which involved participation from 18 countries.

Her leadership in training on peacekeeping strategies and humanitarian mine action was widely praised. In 2006, she served as a military observer in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Congo, and since 2010, she has been actively involved in this field. Her family also has strong ties to the military—Sophia's grandfather served in the army, and her husband is also a military officer.

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh

The other officer present at the press conference, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, had dreamed of flying since childhood. Her name, Vyomika, itself has a meaning associated with the sky, which seemed to reinforce her ambition. While still in school, she joined the NCC (National Cadet Corps). She later pursued engineering studies, and became the first member of her family to join the armed forces.

She is currently serving in the Indian Air Force as a helicopter pilot and has been playing a crucial role during wartime operations.

Indian analysts believe that the presence and leadership of these two female officers symbolise not just a moment within a military operation, but also a broader representation of women’s empowerment and secularism in Indian society.