Sofiya Qureshi Biography:
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, VSM, is a senior officer in the Indian Army born in Vadodara, Gujarat, India, best known for leading the media briefings on Operation Sindoor in 2025.
Sofiya comes from a family with deep military roots. Her grandfather served in the Religious Teacher cadre of the Indian Army, her father served with the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers and fought in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, and her great-grandmother was part of the historic 1857 revolt. She completed her post-graduation in Biochemistry from Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara, and was commissioned into the Army Signal Corps in 1999 through the Officers Training Academy, Chennai. In 2016, she became the first woman officer to lead an Indian Army training contingent at a multinational military exercise, Exercise Force 18.
Sofiya Qureshi Wiki:
| Personal Life | |
| Name | Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, VSM |
| Profession | Indian Army Officer |
| Famous For | Operation Sindoor briefings; first woman to lead an Indian Army contingent at a multinational exercise |
| Commissioned | 1999, Army Signal Corps |
| Service Number | IC-74110K |
| Birth Year | 1974 (as per reports) |
| Birth Place | Vadodara, Gujarat, India |
| Hometown | Vadodara, Gujarat, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| School | Kendriya Vidyalaya |
| College | Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara |
| Educational Qualifications | Post-graduation in Biochemistry (1997) |
| Hobbies | Shooting, Travelling, Trekking, Reading |
Family:
| Family | |
| Parents | Father: Taj Mohammad Qureshi (Former Army Officer) Mother: Amina Qureshi |
| Siblings | Three brothers and one sister |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Husband | Colonel Tajuddin Bagewadi (Mechanised Infantry) |
| Children | Son |
Sofiya Qureshi Career Highlights:
| S. No | Year | Milestone | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1) | 1999 | Commissioned as Lieutenant | Army Signal Corps, OTA Chennai |
| 2) | 2001 | Helped develop Army’s first mobile digital communication network | – |
| 3) | 2001-2002 | Operation Parakram | Received GOC-in-C commendation |
| 4) | 2006 | UN Peacekeeping Mission, DR Congo | One of the longest-serving Indian women officers in UN operations |
| 5) | 2016 | Exercise Force 18 | First woman to lead an Indian Army training contingent |
| 6) | 2025 | Operation Sindoor briefings | With Wing Commander Vyomika Singh |
Awards & Honours
| Awards | Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM), Special Service Medal, Operation Vijay Medal, Operation Parakram Medal, Sainya Seva Medal, Videsh Seva Medal, United Nations Medal, Global Peace Gandhi Award (2019) |
Lesser-Known Facts
- Sofiya was pursuing a PhD when she learned the Indian Army was recruiting women officers, and chose to join the forces instead.
- She served six years with the UN Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Her family has served the nation across four generations, dating back to the 1857 revolt.
- She has served as guest faculty at the National Defence College.
- Both she and her husband are serving officers in the Indian Army, making theirs a true defence family.
FAQs
Who is Sofiya Qureshi?
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi is a senior Indian Army officer of the Signal Corps, known for leading the Operation Sindoor media briefings in 2025.
When was Sofiya Qureshi born?
She was born in 1974 in Vadodara, Gujarat, as per available reports.
Is Sofiya Qureshi married?
Yes, she is married to Colonel Tajuddin Bagewadi of the Mechanised Infantry, and they have a son.
What is Sofiya Qureshi famous for?
She is best known for becoming the first woman officer to lead an Indian Army training contingent at a multinational exercise and for briefing the nation on Operation Sindoor.
Which regiment does Sofiya Qureshi belong to?
She was commissioned into the Army Signal Corps in 1999.
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