Who Is Colonel Sofia Qureshi? A Trailblazing Indian Army Officer

A postgraduate in Biochemistry, Colonel Qureshi hails from Vadodara, Gujarat, and comes from a family with a rich legacy of military service. Both her father and grandfather proudly served in the Indian Armed Forces, but it was Colonel Qureshi’s own determination to carve her own path that led her to the prestigious Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai. Colonel Sofiya Qureshi comes from a proud military family with deep-rooted ties to India’s armed forces. Her grandfather served as a religious teacher in the Army, and her father, Taj Mohammad Qureshi, is a retired officer from the Corps of EME who also served in the 1971 war. Her family legacy reportedly traces back to the 1857 revolt through her great-grandmother’s connection to Rani Laxmi Bai. She has three brothers and a sister. Colonel Qureshi is married to Colonel Tajuddin Bagewadi of the Mechanised Infantry, and they have a son named Sameer. Her family remains deeply proud of her service and leadership.

Early Life and Education

Commissioned into the Indian Army's Signal Corps in 2000, she was undeterred by the barriers that many women in the military faced at the time. While the army had limited roles for women until 1992—who were mostly inducted into non-combat roles—Colonel Qureshi saw this as an opportunity for change, not a limitation. Her conviction to serve and redefine the role of women in the armed forces has made her one of the most prominent female leaders in India’s military history.

In 2016, Colonel Qureshi became the first Indian woman officer to lead a contingent in the ASEAN Plus Multinational Military Exercise ‘Force 18’. As the sole woman commander among 18 participating nations, her leadership demonstrated the breaking of gender norms within the military. Colonel Qureshi's exceptional leadership qualities were also recognized internationally, especially during her six-year tenure with the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations in Congo. There, she made significant contributions to peacekeeping efforts in conflict zones, a moment she described as a point of pride in her career.

Role in the 2025 India–Pakistan Conflict

"In a bold pre-dawn offensive, Operation Sindoor unfolded between 1:05 AM and 1:30 AM on Wednesday, launched as a swift and powerful counterstrike to the devastating April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that took 26 innocent lives. The mission zeroed in on nine terrorist strongholds located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), sending a clear message against cross-border terrorism. According to Colonel Quraishi, these locations were strategically chosen based on reliable intelligence and their known involvement in cross-border terrorism."

Her commitment to service extends beyond international peacekeeping efforts. During the Northeast India floods, Colonel Qureshi played a crucial role in managing critical communications for flood relief operations, earning recognition from the Signal Officer-in-Chief (SO-in-C).

Currently serving as an officer in the Mechanised Infantry of the Indian Army, Colonel Qureshi’s involvement in Operation Sindoor and her ongoing role in military training underscore her commitment to shaping the future of India’s armed forces. Her journey from a young woman in Gujarat to a trailblazing leader in the military is a powerful reminder of how far women have come in the Indian Army, though it is clear that much remains to be done.

Legacy and Impact

Colonel Qureshi’s story is not just one of individual success but also of paving the way for the next generation of women in the armed forces. Through her example, Colonel Qureshi has not only redefined what it means to be a woman in uniform but has inspired countless young women to pursue their dreams, irrespective of gender-based constraints. Her legacy is a reminder that while the journey may be challenging, with unwavering determination and a commitment to breaking barriers, anything is possible.