New Delhi:  India’s morning briefing on ‘Operation Sindoor’ delivered a powerful message — two women Officers, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, led the press conference detailing precision strikes on terror bases in Pakistan.

The symbolism was hard to miss: the operation’s name — Sindoor, a tribute to women who lost their husbands in the Pahalgam terror attack — and women Officers leading the charge, sent a strong and deliberate signal.

“Terror targets were selected based on verified intelligence and their role in cross-border terrorism. No Pakistani military installation was targeted,” said Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, speaking after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. She confirmed that nine terrorist camps were destroyed.

Colonel Qureshi described Operation Sindoor as a strategic shift. “Pakistan has, for decades, created an ecosystem of terror — recruitment centres, training camps and launch pads. This operation dismantled those structures to prevent future attacks.”

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh added, “India has shown restraint. However, the Armed Forces are fully prepared for any Pakistani misadventure that may seek to escalate the situation.”

Who are the Officers?

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh is a helicopter pilot with the Indian Air Force. She began her career in the NCC, completed engineering, and was granted a permanent commission in the flying branch on Dec. 18, 2019.

She has operated helicopters such as the ‘Chetak’ and ‘Cheetah’ in some of India’s most challenging terrains, including high-altitude areas like Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast.

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi is a decorated officer from the Indian Army’s Corps of Signals. She made history as the first woman to lead an Indian Army contingent in a major multinational military exercise held in Pune, one of the largest ever on Indian soil.