How Operation Sindoor briefing by two women officers is a direct message to Pakistan chief

India’s official briefing on ‘Operation Sindoor’ was as symbolic as it was profound. The high-profile press conference not only clarified the facts of India’s airstrikes on terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) but also delivered a carefully curated message to the international community and Islamabad.

By positioning Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, a Kashmiri Pandit, and flanking him with two uniformed women officers, the Indian establishment subtly underscored its national unity and gender representation in matters of national defence.

Who Were the Briefing Officers?

The trio at the helm included Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Colonel Sophia Qureshi, and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.

Colonel Qureshi, a Muslim officer from the Indian Army, and Wing Commander Singh, a decorated officer in the Indian Air Force, jointly presented the tactical and operational specifics of the airstrikes carried out under Operation Sindoor.

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Strategic Messaging to General Asim Munir

Beyond the military objective, the visual composition of the briefing was interpreted as a strategic rebuttal to statements made by Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, who has previously cast doubt on the unity of Indian society.

By placing a Hindu diplomat, a Muslim army officer, and a woman IAF pilot on the dais, India not only rejected Munir’s communal assertions but presented an image of a diverse, cohesive national front against terrorism.

This representation aimed to neutralise Pakistani propaganda that frames India’s counterterrorism measures as religiously polarised or politically motivated.

Even political opposition figures like Congress MP Shashi Tharoor lauded the Indian government’s messaging and military strategy.

“General Asim Munir talks about the impossibility of Hindus and Muslims living together. We are demonstrating we are not only united, we are India against terror. We are India against the Pakistanis' evil machinations. We are not divided within ourselves. What a wonderful message to send. I am proud of that,” he said in talks with ANI.

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Responding to Pahalgam: The Context of Operation Sindoor

The military action came as a calibrated response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, where 26 people were killed. India’s intelligence agencies traced the planning and coordination of this attack to camps inside PoK, operated with the backing of the Pakistani military.

On May 7, between 1 to 2 am, Indian airstrikes targeted nine locations across PoK and Pakistani territory, aimed specifically at terror training infrastructure.

A Measured Yet Firm Military Stance

While the strikes were significant in scale, officials at the briefing emphasised India's restraint. The targets were selected carefully to avoid civilian casualties and deliberately excluded Pakistani military and government installations.

The message was clear: India holds the Pakistani establishment responsible for enabling cross-border terrorism, but has no desire to initiate a prolonged conflict except than serving justice as due.

International Reaction: Cautious Support

In the aftermath of the strikes, countries including France, Russia, and Israel issued statements supporting India’s right to self-defence. China, traditionally aligned with Pakistan, issued a neutral statement urging restraint and diplomacy. These reactions suggest that while the global community is wary of escalation, India’s diplomatic signalling has been largely effective.

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A Message Beyond Borders

In sum, the decision to have two women officers lead the operational part of the briefing was a deliberate message—not just to Pakistan’s military, but to the global audience—that India’s fight against terrorism is inclusive, strategic, and deeply unified.

The symbolism served to elevate India's narrative in the global information war, proving that the battlefield today also includes optics and perception.