Operation Sindoor: Know about Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sophia Qureshi

In a historic first, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sophia Qureshi, alongside Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, addressed the nation regarding 'Operation Sindoor'—India's targeted military response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 Indian lives. 

The bravehearts' detailed 'Operation Sindoor' involved precise missile strikes on nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. 

These sites were identified as terrorist infrastructures linked to groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, held responsible for the Pahalgam attack. Misri emphasized that the operation was "focused, measured, and non-escalatory," deliberately avoiding Pakistani military facilities to prevent broader conflict escalation. 

Know Wing Commander Vyomika Singh

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, a senior Indian Air Force officer, played a pivotal role in the aerial operations of 'Operation Sindoor'. She underscored the mission's success in achieving its objectives with surgical precision, reinforcing India's stance against terrorism.

For the unversed, Wing Commander Vyomika’s journey to the Air Force began with a dream she had as a child. Since her school days, she always wanted to fly. Even the meaning of her name ‘Vyomika’ connects to the sky. It means the one who resides in the sky, or the daughter of the sky.

As per reports, she was an NCC student and later became the first person in her family to join the armed forces after completing her engineering. She was commissioned as a helicopter pilot in the Indian Air Force and received a permanent commission in the flying branch on December 18, 2019. 

She has logged more than 2500 flying hours. She has operated helicopters like the Chetak and Cheetah in some of the toughest terrains, including Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast. 

Know Colonel Sophia Qureshi

Colonel Sophia Qureshi, an officer from the Corps of Signals, made history in 2016 as the first Indian woman to lead an Army contingent in a multinational military exercise, 'Exercise Force 18'. With extensive experience in peacekeeping operations, including a UN mission in Congo, she brings a wealth of operational expertise.

In the briefing, she highlighted the strategic precision of 'Operation Sindoor' and the Indian Army's commitment to minimizing civilian harm while neutralizing terror threats.

As per reports, Colonel Sophia hails from Gujarat and holds a postgraduate degree in biochemistry. She comes from a military family- her grandfather served in the Indian Army- and she is married to an officer from the Mechanised Infantry.

She has been part of UN Peacekeeping Operations (PKO), including a notable stint in the United Nations Mission in Congo (2006).

Warning To Pakistan:

“India has demonstrated considerable restraints in its response. However, it must be said that the Indian Armed forces are fully prepared to respond to Pakistani misadventures, if any, that will escalate the situation,” the two brave hearts said as they warned Pakistan. 

This joint briefing not only marked a significant military development but also symbolized the evolving role of women in India's defense forces, showcasing their leadership in critical national security operations.