Colonel Sophia Qureshi, hailing from Gujarat, has carved a remarkable path in the Indian Army. A postgraduate in biochemistry, she comes from a proud military family — her grandfather also served in the Army. Married to an officer from the Mechanised Infantry, Colonel Qureshi continues to break barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field.
On Wednesday, Colonel Qureshi, alongside Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, addressed the media regarding ‘Operation Sindoor’ — India’s strategic response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The officials emphasized that the attack, carried out on April 22, was an attempt to incite communal discord. They firmly asserted that India is well-prepared, warning that Pakistan’s provocations could escalate the situation.
A decorated officer from the Corps of Signals, Colonel Qureshi has set multiple benchmarks for women in the Indian Army. Back in March 2016, she made history as the first female officer to lead an Army contingent at a multinational military exercise. The event, titled ‘Exercise Force 18’, marked India’s largest-ever foreign military exercise, bringing together 18 contingents from ASEAN countries along with India, Japan, China, Russia, the United States, Korea, New Zealand, and Australia. Colonel Qureshi stood out as the sole female contingent leader.
Her achievements go beyond national borders. In 2006, she served in the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Congo, chosen from among numerous peacekeeping trainers across the country. Since 2010, she has been actively involved in Peacekeeping Operations (PKOs), solidifying her role as an influential figure in global military cooperation.
Colonel Sophia Qureshi’s journey serves as an inspiration, showcasing resilience and leadership in the Indian Army.
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