KEY POINTS
- Indian Armed Forces launched precise missile strikes on nine terrorist camps
- The press briefing was led by Colonel Sophia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh
- Around 80-90 terrorists were killed across the nine sites
In an important moment after India’s precise missile strikes under Operation Sindoor, two respected women officers, Colonel Sophia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, led a press briefing. They spoke to the media and the nation to explain the details and purpose of the strikes carried out on terrorist targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).
During the briefing, Colonel Sophia Qureshi showed video evidence of the successful strikes on terror camps in places like Muridke and other parts of Pakistan and PoJK. The footage, taken by surveillance drones and onboard targeting systems, confirmed direct hits on key terrorist camps linked to groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh explained the goal and planning behind the operation. She said, “Operation Sindoor was carried out by the Indian Armed Forces to bring justice to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and their families. Nine terrorist camps were targeted and destroyed. The locations were carefully chosen to avoid any harm to civilians or civilian properties.”
The decision to have two women officers lead the briefing is symbolic. It shows India’s commitment to ending terrorism and also honors the widows of those who lost their lives in the terror attack. Sindoor” is a red powder worn by married Hindu women. It is also a symbol of the Pahalgam massacre on April 22, where terrorists specifically targeted and killed men, including those who were newly married, because of their religion.
About Sophia Qureshi
Colonel Sophia Qureshi is a respected officer in the Indian Army’s Corps of Signals. She made history at a young age by becoming the first female officer to lead an Army group at a big international military event. In March 2016, she led the Indian Army at ‘Exercise Force 18’, one of the largest military exercises hosted by India. The event included countries like India, Japan, China, Russia, the United States, Korea, New Zealand, and Australia, along with members of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).
Sofiya Qureshi made history by becoming the first woman officer to lead an Army contingent at a multinational military exercise. This exercise, called Exercise Force 18, was the largest foreign military exercise ever hosted by India.
In March 2016, then-Lieutenant Colonel Qureshi achieved this amazing feat when she led the Army team at Exercise Force 18. The exercise took place in Pune from March 2 to March 8 and included 18 countries. These countries were part of the ASEAN group and also included major powers like Japan, China, Russia, the United States, South Korea, New Zealand, and Australia.
About Vyomika Singh
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh is a distinguished officer in the Indian Air Force (IAF), known for her exceptional skills and leadership. She played a pivotal role in co-leading the media briefing on ‘Operation Sindoor,’ India’s targeted strikes on terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoJK) in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives on April 22, 2025.
Hailing from a family with no prior military background, Wing Commander Singh was inspired by her childhood ambition to serve in the armed forces. Her determination led her to join the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and later pursue engineering studies, eventually leading to her commissioning into the IAF.
Commissioned on December 18, 2019, Wing Commander Singh is a helicopter pilot with over 2,500 flying hours. She has operated Chetak and Cheetah helicopters across challenging terrains, including high-altitude areas in Jammu and Kashmir and remote regions in Northeast India. In 2020, she led a critical rescue operation in Arunachal Pradesh, evacuating civilians in extreme conditions. The following year, she participated in an all-women tri-services mountaineering expedition to Mt. Manirang, demonstrating her versatility and courage.
About Operation Sindoor
In the early hours of the morning, the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation was carried out by the Army, Navy, and Indian Air Force, using precise ammunition to strike terrorist bases.
The Indian Army released a statement saying that nine sites were targeted in total. The biggest strikes were in Bahawalpur and Muridke, which are strongholds of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) group. Around 25-30 terrorists were killed at each of these locations. In Muridke, the target was the Masjid wa Markaz Taiba, which is a key center for the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) group and has been known as a “terror nursery.”
Intelligence agencies are still checking the number of casualties at the other targeted sites, but it is estimated that 80-90 terrorists were killed in total. Pakistan reported that eight civilians, including a child, were killed in the strikes and called it an “act of war.”
Other places targeted included JeM-linked sites like Sarjal in Tehra Kalan, Markaz Abbas in Kotli, and Syedna Bilal camp in Muzaffarabad. There were also attacks on LeT camps, such as Markaz Ahle Hadith in Barnala and Shwawai Nalla camp in Muzaffarabad. Hizbul Mujahideen camps like Makaz Raheel Shahid in Kotli and Mehmoona Joya in Sialkot were also hit.
Out of the nine sites targeted in Operation Sindoor, four were in Pakistan, and five were in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). Indian officials made it clear that no Pakistani military installations were hit, but there are reports that the Pakistani Army, ISI (Intelligence), and Special Services Group (SSG) may have been involved in supporting the terrorist camps.
After the strikes, Pakistan launched heavy shelling across the border in Jammu and Kashmir. Indian officials reported that three civilians were killed in the shelling. In response, Indian security forces fired back, and the exchange of fire continued, according to the latest updates.
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