During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s roadshow in Vadodara on Monday, the family of Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, including her twin sister Shyna Sunsara, joined in by showering flower petals on him as he passed. The Prime Minister is currently on a two-day visit to Gujarat, his home state, where he is set to inaugurate a range of development initiatives.
Colonel Qureshi is one of two women officers who led the press briefing on Operation Sindoor, India’s retaliatory military campaign following the April 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 civilian lives. Her parents, Taj Mohammad and Halima Qureshi, expressed pride in their daughter’s role, stating she has become a symbol of national pride. They also commended the operation as justice for the victims, especially referencing the phrase “revenge of our sisters’ sindoor.”
Speaking to the media, her twin sister Shyna Sunsara recounted a powerful moment when Prime Minister Modi bowed before them during the event. “I was speechless. It was as if he was telling the world — we are with you, don’t be afraid,” she said. Sunsara also commended Modi’s dedication to advancing women’s empowerment and leadership.
She further added that Operation Sindoor, led under Modi’s leadership, was a historic step not only in terms of military precision but also for highlighting the strength of women in the armed forces. “My sister Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh leading the press briefing sent a strong global message — women are no less,” she remarked.
About Operation Sindoor:
Initiated on May 7, Operation Sindoor was India’s measured military retaliation to the terror attack in Pahalgam. Showcasing high-tech precision and defence capabilities, the operation aimed to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and reaffirm India’s zero-tolerance stance on terrorism. The strike was also seen as a statement of national resolve and defence strength under female leadership.
