Neutralises all the targets in 15 mins…

Long live Mother India!" (Bharat Mata Ki Jai)"

-Rajnath Singh Defence Minister

The world must show zero tolerance for terrorism

-S Jai Shankar External Affairs Minister

metro india news  I NEW DELHI

Even as the nation was wondering ‘if and when’ India would retaliate and went to bed on Tuesday, the Indian armed forces launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ from 1:05 am to 1:30 am hitting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed and neutralised all the targets with clinical efficiency.  

India's armed forces destroyed nine terrorist infrastructure including that of Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba in a 25-minute-long "measured and "non-escalatory" missile and drone strike early on Wednesday in retaliation to the dastardly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 in which 26 people, mostly tourists were killed. The attack in Pahalgam was marked by extreme barbarity as victims were shot in front of their loved ones.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said India decided to carry out the "proportionate" strikes to bring the perpetrators and planners of the April 22 Pahalgam attack to justice as there was "no demonstrable step" from Pakistan to act against terrorist infrastructure on territories under its control.

Misri further added that India's actions were in line with the UN Security Council's statement about holding perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of the Pahalgam terror attack accountable.

Under 'Operation Sindoor', the Indian military targeted Markaz Taiba of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Muridke, Markaz Subhan Allah of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in Bahawalpur and Hizbul Mujahideen's Mehmoona Joya Facility in Sialkot and LeT's base in Markaz Ahle Hadith in Barnala and its camp in Muzaffarabad's Shawai Nalla, military officials said.

It said the actions by the Indian Armed forces have been "focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature and that no Pakistani military facilities have been targeted".

"India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution," the ministry said.

Hours after the Indian operation, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said his country has every right to give a "befitting reply to this act of war imposed by India". Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, however, said Islamabad is ready to "wrap up" tensions with New Delhi, if it de-escalates the situation.

The Pakistan army said at least 26 people were killed and 46 injured in these strikes. JeM chief Maulana Masood Azhar acknowledged that 10 members of his family and four close associates were killed in India's missile attack on the outfit's headquarters in Bahawalpur.

In his remarks, Misri said "Our intelligence monitoring of Pakistan-based terrorist modules indicated that further attacks against India were impending." "Niche technology weapons with careful selection of warheads was ensured, so that there will be no collateral damage. The point of impact, in each of the target was a specific building or a group of buildings. No military establishments were targeted," the IAF officer said "India has demonstrated considerable restraint in its response. However, it must be said that the Indian armed forces are fully prepared to respond to Pakistani misadventures, if any that will escalate this situation.

 Colonel Sophia Qureshi Early Life and Education

Born in 1981 in Vadodara, Gujarat, Colonel Sophia Qureshi (also spelled Sofiya in some sources) comes from a family with a strong military legacy. Her grandfather served in the Indian Army, and her father was a religious teacher in the Army. This background inspired her to pursue a career in the military. Qureshi holds a postgraduate degree in biochemistry, blending academic rigor with her military aspirations. She is married to an officer in the Mechanised Infantry, further tying her personal life to the armed forces.

Military Career

Commissioned in 1999 as a Lieutenant from the Officers Training Academy in Chennai, Qureshi joined the Indian Army’s Corps of Signals. With over three decades of service (noting that some sources suggest a commissioning in 1990, which may be inconsistent with her age), she has held numerous high-profile postings. Her career is marked by a focus on peacekeeping operations and leadership in multinational exercises, earning her a reputation as a trailblazer for women in the Army.

 Key Achievements  

Exercise Force 18 (2016): At age 35, then-Lieutenant Colonel Qureshi made history as the first woman officer to lead an Indian Army contingent at Exercise Force 18, a multinational field training exercise in Pune involving 18 ASEAN Plus nations. As the only female Contingent Commander among all participating nations, she led a 40-member team in peacekeeping and humanitarian mine action training, selected from a competitive pool of peacekeeping trainers.

UN Peacekeeping Mission: 

In 2006, Qureshi served as a military observer in the United Nations Peacekeeping Operation in Congo, monitoring ceasefires and aiding humanitarian activities. She has been associated with peacekeeping operations since 2010, contributing significantly to India’s global peacekeeping efforts.

 Operation Sindoor Briefing: 

On May 7, 2025, Qureshi co-led the media briefing on Operation Sindoor, presenting visuals of destroyed terror camps and emphasizing the operation’s precision and non-escalatory nature. Her leadership in this high-stakes briefing, alongside Wing Commander Singh and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, marked a historic moment for women in India’s military.

Decorations and Recognition

Qureshi’s decorations include the Videsh Seva Medal for overseas service, nine- and 20-year Long Service Medals, 75th Independence Anniversary Medal, Sainya Seva Medal with two clasps, and Special Service Medal with two clasps, reflecting her extensive and distinguished service. Her role in the Operation Sindoor briefing was celebrated for its professionalism and as a symbol of women’s growing prominence in military leadership.

Shared Significance

Both Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sophia Qureshi represent the evolving role of women in India’s defense forces. Their selection to lead the Operation Sindoor briefing on May 7, 2025, was a deliberate and powerful statement, symbolizing justice for the victims of the Pahalgam attack and showcasing women’s leadership in national security. The operation’s name, “Sindoor,” paid tribute to the women who lost their husbands in the attack, and the choice of two women officers from different religious backgrounds was widely praised for its messaging. Their composed, professional, and authoritative briefing not only detailed India’s military response but also inspired widespread admiration, with social media posts lauding their leadership as “legendary” and “empowered.”

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh Early Life and Education

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, whose name means "daughter of the sky" in Sanskrit, was inspired to fly from a young age, a dream reflected in her name. Hailing from a family with no prior military background, she became the first in her family to join the armed forces. During her school years, she joined the National Cadet Corps (NCC), which provided early exposure to military life and discipline. She pursued a degree in engineering, building a strong technical foundation before embarking on her military career.

 Military Career

Vyomika Singh was commissioned into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 2004 as a helicopter pilot and received a permanent commission in the flying branch on December 18, 2019. 

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh

Promoted to the rank of Wing Commander in 2017, she has logged over 2,500 flying hours, operating Chetak and Cheetah helicopters in challenging terrains such as Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast. Her operational expertise includes high-altitude missions and high-risk flying operations, earning her a reputation as a skilled and fearless pilot.

 Key Achievements  Rescue Missions: 

Singh has played a pivotal role in multiple rescue operations, including a notable mission in Arunachal Pradesh in November 2020. Her contributions during flood relief operations in the Northeast earned her the Signal Officer-in-Chief’s appreciation.

 Mountaineering Expedition: 

In 2021, she was part of an all-women tri-services mountaineering team that summited Mt. Manirang (21,650 feet) in Himachal Pradesh, a 15-day expedition recognized by senior defense leadership, including the Chief of Air Staff. 

Operation Sindoor Briefing: 

On May 7, 2025, Singh co-led the historic media briefing on Operation Sindoor alongside Colonel Sophia Qureshi and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. The operation, a retaliatory strike targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir following the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, showcased her strategic communication skills and leadership. Her composed delivery and detailed explanation of the operation’s execution were widely praised.

Decorations and Recognition

Singh’s uniform displays several honors, including the Indian Air Force pilot’s badge, Special Service Medal, High Altitude Medal, nine-year Long Service Medal, 75th Independence Anniversary Medal, and Sainya Seva Medal. She also wears the Chief of the Air Staff Commendation Card and possibly the Vice Chief of the Air Staff Commendation Card, reflecting her distinguished service. Her role in the Operation Sindoor briefing was hailed on social media as a powerful symbol of women’s leadership in the IAF.