Col. Sophia Qureshi Wg Cdr Vyomika Singh: When India destroyed 9 terror hideouts under Operation Sindoor on the night of 6-7 May 2025 to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack, the country not only witnessed a display of military might, but also a wonderful example of women's leadership.

The official briefing of this high-profile operation was done jointly by Colonel Sofia Qureshi of the Indian Army and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force on the morning of May 7. This was the first time that after an international military action, two female military officers in India jointly briefed the media about the operation.

Colonel Qureshi explained how the operation was planned, how intelligence inputs were collected, and how units were deployed on the ground. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh shared technical details of the airstrike—such as the use of laser-guided bombs and the precise identification of targets.

Salary and facilities of Colonel and Wing Commander

Colonel Sofia Qureshi Salary: Colonel is the rank below Brigadier and above Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Army. He has a whole regiment under him which has about 900-950 soldiers. Colonel gets a salary of ₹1,30,600 - ₹2,15,900 per month under level 13. Along with this, he gets facilities like top level government accommodation, personal driver, domestic help (servant), free medical facility, concessional travel, and pension and gratuity after retirement.

Col. Sofia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh briefing the nation on Operation Sindoor.

India’s message to the world on Women power, Religious unity and Extraordinary Military competence.

Peak Symbolism chosen by our forces.🇮🇳

pic.twitter.com/TmoAo8aiVp

— Jahid Hussain 📈 (@JahidHussain2) May 7, 2025

Wing Commander Vyomika Singh Salary: Wing Commander is the rank above Squadron Leader and below Group Captain in the Indian Air Force. This rank is for leading squadrons or operational units. A Wing Commander gets a salary of ₹90,000 to ₹1,20,000 per month. Apart from this, they are given government accommodation, a vehicle, health services, and retirement benefits.

Who is Colonel Sofia Qureshi?

Colonel Sofia Qureshi, around 43 years old, is a distinguished officer of the Indian Army's Signal Corps. Originally from Vadodara, Gujarat, Qureshi has a post graduate degree in biochemistry. She joined the army in 1999 at the age of just 17 through Short Service Commission. Military tradition is in her blood. Her grandfather was also in the army, and her husband is a military officer in the mechanized infantry.

In March 2016, she created history by leading the Indian Army contingent in 'Exercise Force 18'. She became the first Indian woman military officer to do so. This was the largest multinational military exercise till date, in which countries like India, America, China, Russia, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea, including ASEAN countries, participated. This event was held in Pune. In 2025, she once again brought glory to the country when she set a new example of leadership by formally briefing Operation Sindoor.

Who is Wing Commander Vyomika Singh?

Vyomika Singh is an experienced and fearless officer of the Indian Air Force, posted in a helicopter unit. She has flown light helicopters like 'Chetak' and 'Cheetah', which are used for missions in inaccessible and sensitive areas. She was inducted into the Air Force on 18 December 2004 under the 21st Short Service Commission (Women) Flying Pilot Course. Since then, she is counted among the most trusted and brave women officers of the Indian Air Force.

2,500 hours of flying and a name of trust in every mission: In her two-decade-long career, she has completed more than 2,500 hours of flying. She has carried out many relief, rescue and military operations in mountains, dense forests and deserts. On 18 December 2017, she was promoted to the rank of Wing Commander, which is a senior and responsible rank in the Air Force. She has proved that women power is not only present in the Indian Air Force, but is also leading in the front line.

PC:OneIndia