The family of Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who played a key role in briefing the media about Operation Sindoor, has expressed immense pride and a sense of fulfillment regarding her contribution to the nation. Operation Sindoor was a series of precision strikes executed by the Indian armed forces on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). This operation was launched in response to the tragic April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir.

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, along with Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, flanked Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri during the press briefing, presenting a powerful image of Indian military and diplomatic strength. Colonel Qureshi addressed the media in Hindi, detailing the specific terrorist targets that were successfully destroyed through the precision attacks, while Wing Commander Singh followed with the same information in English.

Colonel Qureshi's mother, Halima Qureshi, conveyed her joy and hope that her daughter's actions would inspire other families to educate their daughters, enabling them to serve the nation. Her father, Taj Mohammed Qureshi, echoed this sentiment, stating that he felt deeply proud of his daughter's accomplishments for the country. The family's remarks underscore a strong sense of patriotism and commitment to national service.

Colonel Qureshi hails from Vadodara, Gujarat, and comes from a family with a strong military background. Her grandfather served in the Indian Army as a religious teacher, instilling in her a sense of duty and dedication. Her brother, Mohammad Sanjay Qureshi, mentioned that Colonel Sofiya was inspired by their grandfather and father, both of whom served in the Army. He highlighted that "patriotism runs in our blood". Colonel Qureshi is married to Major Tajuddin Qureshi, who serves in the Mechanised Infantry, further cementing her connection to the armed forces.

Before joining the Indian Army, Colonel Qureshi pursued a career in academia. She holds a postgraduate degree in Biochemistry and was on the verge of completing her Ph.D. when she decided to join the Army through the Short Service Commission (SSC). According to her brother, she wanted to look beyond the classroom and don the olive-green uniform.

Colonel Qureshi's career in the Indian Army has been marked by several significant achievements. She is an officer in the Army's Signal Corps and was the first woman officer to lead an Indian Army contingent in a major multinational military exercise, 'Force 18', in 2016. She has also served in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations in Congo. During the Operation Sindoor briefing, Colonel Qureshi emphasized that the operation aimed to destroy terrorist infrastructure to "break the backbone of terrorism". She also stated that the nine terror sites were chosen based on credible intelligence and their involvement in cross-border terrorism.

The success of Operation Sindoor and the prominent role played by Colonel Sofiya Qureshi have been a source of immense pride for her family. Her family hopes that her achievements will inspire more women to join the armed forces and contribute to the nation's security.