🎓 Educational Background and Early Life
Born in 1981 in Vadodara, Gujarat, Colonel Sophia Qureshi hails from a family with a proud military tradition—her grandfather served in the Indian Army . She pursued higher education in biochemistry, earning a postgraduate degree that laid a strong academic foundation for her future endeavors. At the age of 17, she joined the Indian Army through the Short Service Commission via the Officers Training Academy in Chennai in 1999 .
🪖 Trailblazing Military Career
Commissioned into the Corps of Signals, Colonel Qureshi has had a distinguished career marked by several groundbreaking achievements:
- First Woman to Lead an Indian Army Contingent in a Multinational Exercise: In 2016, she made history by commanding the Indian contingent at Exercise Force 18, a multinational military exercise involving 18 countries. Notably, she was the only female commander among all participating nations .
- United Nations Peacekeeping Mission: In 2006, she served in the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Congo, contributing to ceasefire monitoring and humanitarian efforts in conflict-affected regions .
⚔️ Leadership in Operation Sindoor
Following the tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, which resulted in the loss of 26 lives, the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor—a series of precision strikes targeting nine terror-related sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Colonel Qureshi, alongside Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force, led the official press briefing on May 7, 2025, detailing the objectives and outcomes of the operation. Their leadership in this high-profile event underscored the evolving role of women in India’s defense forces and highlighted Colonel Qureshi’s seniority and strategic acumen
👩👦 Personal Life
Colonel Qureshi is married to an officer in the Mechanised Infantry, and together they have a son named Sameer Qureshi . Her family’s deep-rooted connection to the military continues to inspire her commitment to service.
