In a meticulously planned military operation, India executed Operation Sindoor in the early hours of May 7, 2025, launching strikes on nine terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This high-precision attack was a direct response to the April 22 Pahalgam massacre, where terrorists brutally killed 26 civilians, including 25 Indians and one Nepali national.
The Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force coordinated the strikes, ensuring that only terrorist infrastructure was hit while avoiding Pakistani military installations to prevent escalation. During a press briefing, Colonel Sophia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh highlighted that the mission was precise, strategic, and non-escalatory.
Surgical Strikes with Advanced Weaponry
The 25-minute operation, which began at 1:05 AM and ended at 1:30 AM, targeted terror camps linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM). Among the nine locations struck, four were inside Pakistan (Bahawalpur, Muridke, Sialkot, Tehra Kalan), and five were in PoK (Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and others).
India deployed Rafale jets armed with SCALP cruise missiles, AASM HAMMER bombs, and loitering munitions. Without crossing into Pakistani airspace, the strikes eliminated over 70 terrorists and wounded more than 60, significantly crippling terror operations. Primary targets included Jaish-e-Mohammed’s headquarters in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s main base in Muridke.
Women Officers Lead the Operation Briefing
Colonel Sophia Qureshi, a distinguished officer from the Corps of Signals, led the official briefing. Drawing from her extensive experience in peacekeeping missions, counter-insurgency operations, and multinational exercises, she asserted that Operation Sindoor was strategically aimed at “breaking the backbone of terrorism.”
A trailblazer in the Indian Army, Colonel Sophia Qureshi became the first female officer to lead an Indian contingent at an ASEAN Plus military exercise, marking a historic milestone in the nation’s defence forces. She has served in UN peacekeeping missions and played a crucial role in national security operations.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, a skilled helicopter pilot in the Indian Air Force, co-led the briefing. With over 2,500 flying hours, she has operated across challenging terrains, from Jammu and Kashmir to the Northeast. She gained recognition in 2021 for participating in an all-women mountaineering expedition to Mt. Manirang. Singh affirmed that India remains fully prepared to counter future threats and reiterated Pakistan’s ongoing support for terror networks.
Women at the Forefront of India’s Defense
The presence of Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh at the media briefing symbolized the growing leadership of women in India’s armed forces. Their involvement in Operation Sindoor not only highlighted India’s military precision but also underscored how gender is no barrier in defending the nation.
