Days after the brutal attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir, India conducted multiple air strikes on terrorist bases in Pakistan. Named Operation Sindoor, the targeted air strikes were carried out in the early hours of May 7, 2025. A historic day that will be remembered for years to come, and not just for these air strikes. This day will be etched in India’s history as the day the nation showed how powerful its women can be. Hours after the air strikes, two women became the face of India’s military might – Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh. The two officers, representing the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force respectively, led the media briefing for Operation Sindoor.

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The women manning the frontline

Women in positions of power in the military are rare across the world, but more so in South Asia. Never before have we seen a visual so empowering, so inspiring, yet so sombre in its messaging. For girls growing up in India, today’s press briefing on Operation Sindoor by Col Sofiya Qureshi and Wg Cdr Vyomika Singh is a visual reminder that they can do anything they want. They can be anything they want to be, including the soldiers who defend the country. It is a historic moment for our nation because the new India is all about women; the new India is All About Eve. Here’s what we know about the two officers who are currently in the news, Wg Cdr Vyomika Singh and Col Sofiya Qureshi.

Who is Vyomika Singh?

The media briefing of Operation Sindoor was led by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri along with IAF Wing Commander Vyomika Singh. Vyomika Singh is a decorated helicopter pilot in the Indian Air Force. She joined the forces on December 18, 2019, after completing her engineering studies and National Cadet Corps (NCC).

Since then, she has operated helicopters like the Chetak and Cheetah in some of the toughest terrains, including Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast. She also led one of the most prominent missions in 2020 in Arunachal Pradesh in high-altitude, tough weather conditions, and remote locations. Apart from this, In 2021, she joined a tri-services all-women mountaineering expedition to Mt. Manirang, having a height of 21,650 feet. Leading the joint media briefing on Operation Sindoor highlights her position of power, the role of a modern IAF officer, and her responsibilities towards the nation.

Who is Sofiya Qureshi?

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi represented the Indian Army in the Operation Sindoor media briefing. She is a decorated Army officer of the Signals corps. Col Sofiya Qureshi is the first woman officer to command an Indian Army contingent in a multinational military exercise.

She led ‘Exercise Force 18’, held in 2016 – the biggest foreign military drills conducted in India. Born and brought up in a military family from Gujarat, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi has also served for six years with UN Peacekeeping Operations (PKO). Her role in PKO involved the monitoring of ceasefires and supporting humanitarian efforts in conflict zones.

As a nation, we might be facing tough times, but having such women in charge makes one feel safe, proud, and grateful for their services. Because when the job seeks a person based on their capabilities and not gender, the nation thrives.