5 facts about Indian lady officer Colonel Sophia Qureshi

IC The Hindu [{ "selector": ".sudbu-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-352px)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible" }, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".egpdf-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

First Woman to Lead Multinational Army Contingent

In 2016, Colonel Qureshi became the first Indian woman to command an Army contingent at a multinational military exercise. IC Times of India [{ "selector": ".qgmep-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 376px))", "opacity": "50%", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "50%", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".jekxc-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0, "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".mefqn-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 438px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".wgzpc-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 470px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

United Nations Peacekeeping Service

She served in the UN Peacekeeping Operation in Congo in 2006, monitoring ceasefires and aiding humanitarian efforts in conflict zones. IC Hindustan Times [{ "selector": ".ndfmp-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 376px))", "opacity": "50%", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "50%", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".rngnz-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 447.5px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".eaqii-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 486px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

Leadership in Operation Sindoor

In May 2025, Colonel Qureshi co-led the media briefing on 'Operation Sindoor,' detailing India's strategic strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and PoK. IC India Today [{ "selector": ".xbnqp-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 376px))", "opacity": "50%", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "50%", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".kanbz-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 451px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".dzjto-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 489px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

Academic Excellence and Military Lineage

A postgraduate in Biochemistry from Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara, she hails from a family with a strong military background. IC News18 [{ "selector": ".xftlx-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 376px))", "opacity": "50%", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "50%", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".qqxti-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 448.5px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".qfidb-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 487px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]

Advocate for Women in the Armed Forces

Colonel Qureshi actively encourages young women to join the Indian Army, emphasizing the importance of dedication and service to the nation. IC Free Press Journal [{ "selector": ".jcucw-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 377px))", "opacity": "50%", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "50%", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".cmues-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 436px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }, { "selector": ".zrfrp-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 472px))", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": "1", "visibility" :"visible"} ] }]