Sofiya Qureshi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Vadodara, Gujarat, India |
| Allegiance |  India |
| Service/ |  Indian Army |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Service number | IC-74110K[1] |
| Unit | Army Signal Corps |
| Commands held | UN Peacekeeping Force (DRC) Indian Cyber Defence Command Indian Rapid Deployment Unit |
| Battles/wars | 2025 India–Pakistan conflict |
| Awards | VSM Special Service Medal Operation Vijay Medal Operation Parakram Medal Sainya Seva Medal Videsh Seva Medal 75th Independence Anniversary Medal 20 Years Long Service Medal 9 Years Long Service Medal United Nations Medal Gandhi Peace Award (2019) |
| Other work | Guest faculty at National Defence College |
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, VSM is a senior officer in the Indian Army. She is notable for being the first woman to lead an Indian contingent in a United Nations peacekeeping mission and she gained national attention for her role during the 2025 India–Pakistan conflict.
Early life and education[edit | edit source]
Sofiya Qureshi was born in Vadodara to Mohammad Qureshi and Amina Qureshi.[2] She earned a degree in biotechnology at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.[3][4]
Military education[edit | edit source]
- Officers Training Academy, Chennai - 1999[5]
- Defence Services Staff College, Wellington – Master’s in Defence and Strategic Studies (2005–06)[6]
- National Defence College, New Delhi (2018) – Strategic cybersecurity[7]
Military career[edit | edit source]
Commissioned in 1999 after graduating from the Officers Training Academy[8] into the Army Signal Corps, Qureshi served in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and North-East India. In 2001, she helped develop the Army’s first mobile digital communication network.[9]
In 2016, as a colonel, she led 40 Indian troops during exercise Force 18—the first woman to lead an Indian training contingent.[10]
Role in 2025 India–Pakistan conflict[edit | edit source]
Qureshi led press conferences along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri about Operation Sindoor.
Recognition and awards[edit | edit source]
- Global Peace Gandhi Award (2019) [11]
- First Provost Marshall in her unit[12][clarification needed]
Personal life[edit | edit source]
She married Colonel Tajuddin Bagewadi in 2015 and together they have a son.[13][14][15]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "77th Republic Day: President approves Gallantry awards to 70 Armed Forces personnel, including six posthumous". Press Information Bureau Government of India. Archived from the original on 26 January 2026. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
- ↑ Raja, Aditi (8 May 2025). "'We spoke yesterday… she did not mention a word': Col Sofiya Qureshi's twin sister". The Indian Express. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
- ↑ "Operation Sindoor: Internet hails Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, IAF Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, who led media briefing". The Indian Express. 7 May 2025. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
- ↑ "Sophia Qureshi: Who is Lieutenant Colonel Sophia Qureshi, who told the whole story of 'Operation Sindoor'". Amar Ujala (in हिन्दी). Retrieved 9 May 2025.
- ↑ * https://leaderbiography.com/colonel-sophia-qureshi
- ↑ "Who is Colonel Sofiya Qureshi the decorated Army officer who briefed media on Operation Sindoor Indian Army". Jagran (in हिन्दी). Retrieved 9 May 2025.
- ↑ Service, Statesman News (8 May 2025). "Col Sofia Qureshi's MP connection". The Statesman. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
- ↑ "Colonel Sophia Qureshi: Biography, Age, Education, Career, Personal Life". 7 May 2025.
- ↑ "Colonel Sophia Qureshi's achievements in Supreme Court verdict". Mathrubhumi. 9 May 2025. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
- ↑ "Military Exercise FORCE 18 kicked off in Pune". affairscloud.com. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
- ↑ "The many laurels of Colonel Sofiya Qureshi: 15 things you need to know about her". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
- ↑ "The many laurels of Colonel Sofiya Qureshi: 15 things you need to know about her". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
- ↑ Service, Express News (8 May 2025). "Family proud of Belagavi's daughter-in-law Col Sofia Qureshi who unveiled Operation Sindoor's success". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
- ↑ "Colonel Sofia Qureshi's Family Tree: Service To The Nation Since The Revolt Of 1857". News18. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
- ↑ "SC Cited Col Sofia Qureshi's Achievements in Landmark Ruling for Women Army Officers". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 9 May 2025.