The many laurels of Colonel Sofiya Qureshi: 15 things you need to know about her

TNN / Updated: May 8, 2025, 11:25 IST

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Vadodara celebrated Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a third-generation Army officer, for her address on Operation Sindoor. She served as a military observer in Congo, contributing to peacekeeping efforts and earning commendations. Colonel Qureshi led an Indian Army contingent at Force 18 and motivated thousands of students, receiving numerous awards and recognition for her service and dedication.

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi

Vadodara beamed with pride on Wednesday morning as Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, one of its most distinguished daughters, addressed the nation about Operation Sindoor. The city's pride soared as high as the morning’s pouring rain.Here are 15 key facts about her:

Vadodara-born Colonel Sofiya Qureshi is a third-generation Army officer; her father and grandfather also served in the Indian Army.
She studied at Kendriya Vidyalaya, EME, and completed her graduation and post-graduation from MSU (Maharaja Sayajirao University).
She is an officer in the Corps of Signals and currently commands an elite unit.
First awarded on the Punjab border as a lieutenant and later recognized for her role in flood relief operations in the North East.
Selected as a military observer in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2006.
In Congo, she risked her life in war-torn, militia-controlled zones and participated in presidential elections, helping change perceptions of the UN and Indian Army.
Played a key role in reuniting a five-year-old girl with her parents in Congo and earned admiration from Congolese women.
Felicitated on UN Day with the Force Commander Commendation.
Served on the UN training team of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, UN Women, and the Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping; represented India at international platforms in South Africa, Cambodia, and Bangladesh.
Conducted motivational workshops for youth, especially girls, in insurgency-hit areas of Kashmir and in West Bengal.
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In March 2016, became the first and only woman officer to lead an Indian Army contingent at the multi-national military exercise Force 18, hosted in India for ASEAN interoperability.
For Force 18, she was awarded the Chief of Army Staff Plaque of Honour.
Her name was listed in the UK House of Commons for the Global Peace Gandhi Award in 2019.
Under the Sapta Shakti Student Outreach Programme, she has motivated over 25,000 students across Haryana, Punjab, J&K, MP, UP, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.
Made history in her unit by earning the first Provost Marshal Citation.