Tension between India and Pakistan has escalated. It all began with the horrific attack in Pahalgam back on April 22, 2025. Following this, India responded with Operation Sindoor, which took place on May 7, 2025. Following this, tension had increased more. Well, it was Colonel Sofiya Qureshi who grabbed all the attention with her bravery. India wrote a new history by letting female officers lead the media brief following the high-end military mission, Operation Sindoor.
Sofiya Qureshi’s mom heaps praises on her daughter
Sofiya Qureshi proved that when a woman decides to do something, they can go to any extent, and when it’s about serving the nation, then there’s nothing that can stop the brave soul. She surely set an inspiration for many out there. Talking to PTI, Sofiya’s mom heaped praises on her daughter and said that she’s very proud of her daughter’s contribution to the nation, and her contribution sets an example for others that people should educate their daughters to serve the nation. She said:
“We are very happy about what our daughter has done for the nation. I hope this inspires others to educate their daughters, so that they can serve the nation.”
Sofiya Qureshi’s father is proud of his daughter, and her brother reveals that she left her teaching career to join the Indian Army
Sofiya Qureshi’s father, who had been with the Indian Armed Forces also heaped praises on his daughter’s contribution. He told PTI that he is really very proud of what his daughter has done for the nation. On the other hand, Sofiya’s brother said that the Colonel gave up her teaching career to serve the nation. Sofiya had an MSc degree in Biochemistry and wanted to be a professor. She was pursuing her PhD degree along with being an assistant lecturer. In the meantime, she was selected for the Indian Army and chose to serve the nation. Well, without a doubt, Sofiya is a true inspiration for us.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi is from a strong military background, her great-grandmother worked with Rani Lakshmi Bai
For the unversed, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi was on the verge of completing her PhD degree when she decided to quit her teaching career and opt for the job of serving the nation. She was inspired by her father, who served in the Army as well. Not only this, but also Sofiya’s grandfather was also in the Army. In an interview dated back in 2017, Sofiya revealed that she was an Army kid, and thus, she has always been exposed to the Army environment. She shared that her father and grandfather were in the Army, and the latter used to say that it’s their duty to be alert and serve the nation.
Sofiya’s great-grandmom was a warrior herself as she worked with the Queen of Jhansi, Rani Lakshmi Bai. Sofiya is also married to Colonel Tajuddin Bagewadi, a native of Konnur village. Talking about her Army background, Sofiya said:
“I am a Fauji kid, so I was exposed to the Army environment. My father was in the Army, my grandfather was in the Army, and my great-grandmother was with Rani Laxmi Bai. She was a full warrior. My mother wanted either of us (me or my sister) to be in the Army. My grandfather used to say that it’s our responsibility to remain alert and defend the nation.”
Who is Colonel Sofiya Qureshi: She briefed the media after Operation Sindoor
Sofiya Qureshi joined the Indian Army back in 1999. She is currently a Colonel and is posted in Jammu. Sofiya hails from Vadodara, Gujarat, and she holds a post-graduation degree in Biochemistry. Sofiya is India’s first woman, who led a 40-member contingent Indian Army in a multinational exercise, which was focused on ‘Humanitarian Mine Action’ and ‘Peacekeeping Operations’. Back in that time, she was only 35 years old, and that multinational exercise that took place was one of the largest ground forces exercises that India conducted back then.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi also served in the United Nations Peacekeeping Operation in Congo in 2006, and her contribution was recognised by the Supreme Court back in 2020, along with 10 other female officers during its judgment about gender parity in the Army’s top positions.
What do you think about Sofiya Qureshi’s contribution to our country?
Also Read: Meet Sofiya Qureshi And Vyomika Singh, Indian Officers Who Led Press Briefing Post Operation Sindoor
