~ Global attention turns to Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi as India targets key terror hubs across Pakistan ~
In a bold and unprecedented military move, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025—an extensive precision strike against nine terrorist training and logistical camps deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. What has truly captured global headlines, however, is the fact that the operation was helmed by two women officers, marking a pivotal moment for gender roles in global military strategy.
A Historic Operation Led by Women Warriors
The operation was led by Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi of the Indian Army. This dynamic duo has now become a symbol of empowered leadership within the Indian defense establishment, with international media and defense analysts praising their strategy and execution.
Wing Commander Singh was responsible for coordinating the aerial precision strikes, leveraging the IAF’s cutting-edge Rafale jets, equipped with SCALP cruise missiles and AASM Hammer bombs. Colonel Qureshi, an expert in military communications and cyber warfare, managed the ground intelligence and logistics operations crucial to mission success.
High-Value Targets Neutralized
According to Indian defense sources, nine major terror hubs were targeted and destroyed during the 23-minute strike:
- Bahawalpur – Jaish-e-Mohammed’s headquarters.
- Muridke – Lashkar-e-Taiba’s primary base.
- Gulpur, Bhimber, Chak Amru, Bagh, Kotli, Sialkot, and Muzaffarabad – Known staging areas for cross-border terrorism activities.
The strikes come in the wake of a brutal terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir on April 22, which left 26 civilians and security personnel dead. Intelligence reports had directly linked the attack to operatives trained in these Pakistani facilities.
International Reactions Pour In
The international response to Operation Sindoor has been swift:
- The United Nations has called for restraint and a renewed commitment to dialogue between India and Pakistan.
- U.S. President Donald Trump expressed concern over rising tensions, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated the importance of regional stability.
- Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif denounced the strikes as “unprovoked aggression” and vowed a “corresponding response.”
Meanwhile, military analysts across Europe and Asia are lauding the precision and swiftness of the operation. Many note that this operation not only weakened terrorist infrastructure but also sent a strong geopolitical message about India’s new defense doctrine.
Spotlight on Women in Command
Perhaps the most globally resonant element of Operation Sindoor has been the command roles held by Wing Commander Singh and Colonel Qureshi. Both officers have shattered long-standing stereotypes and elevated the conversation around women in combat leadership roles.
Colonel Qureshi, known for her earlier UN Peacekeeping leadership, is being hailed as a strategic thinker with unmatched operational command. Wing Commander Singh, a decorated pilot, is being recognized as a trailblazer for women in aviation combat.
What This Means for the Future
India’s new posture, especially one executed with surgical precision and women at the helm, could redefine gender roles in defense and international counterterrorism norms. Global defense communities and think tanks are now closely watching India—not just for its military might, but for how it is reshaping traditional hierarchies.
