sophia qureshi biography

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi is a distinguished officer in the Indian Army’s Corps of Signals, celebrated for her trailblazing role as the first Indian woman to lead a military contingent in a multinational exercise and for her leadership during critical military operations.

Early Life and Education

Born in Vadodara, Gujarat, in 1981, Colonel Qureshi hails from a family with a strong military tradition; her grandfather served as a religious teacher in the Indian Army . She pursued a Master’s degree in Biochemistry from the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda . Her military training commenced at the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, in 1999, followed by advanced studies at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, and the National Defence College, New Delhi, where she specialized in strategic cybersecurity .

                                         Military Career Highlights

• Commissioned in 1999, Colonel Qureshi joined the Army Signal Corps, contributing to the development of the Army’s first mobile digital communication network in 2001 .
• In 2006, she served as a military observer in the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where she was involved in monitoring ceasefires and aiding humanitarian efforts in conflict zones .
• Her leadership was further recognized in 2016 when she became the first Indian woman officer to lead an Indian Army contingent at the Exercise Force 18, a multinational field training exercise involving 18 countries, including the USA, Russia, and China .
• In 2025, Colonel Qureshi played a pivotal role in Operation Sindoor, leading official briefings alongside Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. The operation was a response to a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, resulting in precision strikes on nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir .

                                                                   Recognitions and Awards

• Awarded the Force Commander Commendation for her service in the UN mission in Congo .
• Received the Signal Officer-in-Chief Commendation Card for her exemplary work during flood relief operations in Northeast India .
• Honored with the Gandhi Peace Award in 2019 for her contributions to peacekeeping efforts .

                                                 Personal Life

Colonel Qureshi is married to Colonel Tajuddin Bagewadi, an officer in the Indian Army’s Mechanized Infantry. The couple has a son .

                                                             Learn More

For a visual insight into Colonel Qureshi’s remarkable journey, you can watch the following video:

Who is Colonel Sophia Qureshi | 1st Woman to Lead Indian ARMY …