India Launches ‘Operation Sindoor’ Following Pahalgam Attack
In a major escalation, India launched what it called Operation Sindoor, targeting multiple sites in Pakistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) during overnight military strikes. The offensive comes days after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, on April 22, which left 26 people dead. India claims it hit nine sites allegedly linked to militant groups.
Reported Targets Inside Pakistan and AJK
According to Indian sources cited by local media, the following locations were targeted:
Inside Pakistan:
- Markaz Subhan Allah – Bahawalpur
- Markaz Taiba – Muridke
- Sarjal / Tehra Kalan
- Mehmoona Joya Facility – Sialkot
In Azad Jammu & Kashmir:
5. Markaz Ahle Hadith – Barnala, Bhimber
6. Markaz Abbas – Kotli
7. Maskar Raheel Shahid – Kotli District
8. Markaz Syedna Bilal
9. Shawai Nallah Camp – Muzaffarabad
There has been no official confirmation or independent verification of the claimed damage or casualties. Pakistan’s military has yet to release a detailed statement in response.
Colonel Sophia Qureshi: A Prominent Indian Army Officer
Colonel Sophia Qureshi, who led the press conference, is a senior officer in the Indian Army’s Corps of Signals. She gained prominence in 2016 as the first woman to command an Indian contingent during a multinational military exercise involving 18 nations.
Originally from Gujarat, Qureshi has a postgraduate degree in biochemistry and was commissioned from the Officers Training Academy in Chennai in 1999. She comes from a military family and is married to an officer in India’s Mechanised Infantry. She also served with the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Congo in 2006 and has been involved in various international peacekeeping efforts.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh: Representing the Indian Air Force
Alongside Colonel Qureshi, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force also addressed the media. She is a helicopter pilot with over 2,500 flying hours and has served in sensitive regions including Jammu & Kashmir and India’s Northeast. An engineering graduate who began her career with the National Cadet Corps, Singh participated in several operations, including a major mission in Arunachal Pradesh in 2020.
Symbolic Moment for India’s Military Women
The joint appearance of Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Singh at such a high-profile briefing marks a symbolic shift in India’s military presentation—highlighting increased visibility for women officers in frontline roles. Indian officials emphasized that their presence was not symbolic but reflective of their credentials and experience.
As regional tensions remain high, all eyes are on how both sides—India and Pakistan—will navigate the aftermath of this military confrontation.
Also read: Border crisis intensifies as Pakistan, India exchange fire overnight
