By Rajni Pandey | May 8, 2025
Born in 1981 in Gujarat’s Vadodara, Sofiya Qureshi grew up in a patriotic military household, inspired by her grandfather and father’s service.
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She completed her BSc and MSc in Biochemistry from MS University and started her career as an assistant lecturer, dreaming of becoming a professor.
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While pursuing her Ph.D., Sofiya was selected for the Indian Army through the Short Service Commission in 1999—she chose the uniform over academia.
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In 2016, she became the first Indian woman officer to lead a military contingent at the ASEAN multinational exercise, Force 18, held in Pune.
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Sofiya served in the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Congo as a military observer in 2006, marking her presence on the international stage.
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She has been part of key flood relief missions in Northeast India and counter-insurgency operations, earning accolades for her courage.
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In May 2025, Colonel Sofiya led critical planning in Operation Sindoor—a high-impact strike on terror camps across the border.
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She is married to Major Tajuddin Qureshi of the Mechanised Infantry and is a proud mother to their son, Sameer.
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Her basic salary likely ranges between Rs 1,21,200 and Rs 2,12,400, along with additional allowances such as MSP, HRA, and field area pay.
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