Armed Forces Put Women on the Frontline for Media Briefing after India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ Air Strikes on Pakistan
New Delhi, 7th May 2025: In a swift and strategic military response to the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the Indian armed forces launched ‘Operation Sindoor’, targeting nine terrorist hideouts across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The late-night air strikes, executed jointly by the Army, Air Force, and Navy, are said to have neutralized dozens of terrorists, marking the first tri-services offensive since the 1971 Indo-Pak war.
The Indian government confirmed the operation in a press release issued at 1:44 AM. A dramatic two-minute video of the air strikes was played shortly before an official briefing, underscoring the scale and precision of the action.
Historic Moment: Women Officers Lead Military Briefing
In a historic first, two women officers — Lieutenant Colonel Sofia Qureshi from the Indian Army and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh from the Air Force — addressed the press conference, offering detailed insight into the strike operations.
“The strikes were conducted between 1:05 and 1:30 AM, targeting launchpads and training centers identified across the border,” said Col Qureshi. “This operation was a tribute to the innocent lives lost in Pahalgam. It sends a clear message that terrorism will not go unanswered.”
Wing Commander Singh added that the targets were identified with precision intelligence, and the objective was to dismantle terror infrastructure used to train and launch attacks against India.
Coordinated Response to Pahalgam Massacre
On April 22, 2025, terrorists affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba and its proxy TRF (The Resistance Front) ambushed Indian and foreign tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. The attack killed 25 Indian civilians and a Nepali citizen, making it the deadliest assault on civilians since the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, addressing the media, said the operation was a measured and responsible action grounded in India’s right to self-defense. “There is undeniable evidence of Pakistani involvement in the planning and execution of the Pahalgam attack,” Misri said. “TRF, a Lashkar proxy banned by the UN, was used as a cover. The attack was aimed at derailing the peace and progress in Jammu and Kashmir.”
He added, “We had credible intelligence that further attacks were being planned. It became imperative to act.”
Tensions Escalate Along the Border
Following the air strikes, Pakistan responded with heavy firing along the LoC and international border, particularly in the Poonch region, where at least six civilians were reported killed and 34 injured. The BSF and armed forces have been put on high alert, especially along the Punjab border, anticipating potential retaliation.
In Islamabad, the Pakistani government has shut down all schools and colleges, citing security reasons, though it maintains that examinations will proceed as scheduled.
Civil Aviation Disrupted
In view of escalating tensions, India has suspended civilian flight operations at 11 airports across border states including Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. Airports affected include Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Dharamshala, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Rajkot, Bhuj, and Jamnagar.
Leading airlines such as Air India, Indigo, and SpiceJet have issued travel advisories, while airspace over Pakistan remains largely inactive amid regional uncertainty.
Cabinet to Review Further Measures
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a high-level meeting with Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan to assess the situation. Sources indicate that additional security measures may be announced soon, particularly for strategic and sensitive installations across India.
