Onlykashmir.in Feature Desk
On April 22, 2025, the serene meadows of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir were shattered by a brutal terrorist attack that claimed 26 lives, including tourists and a Nepalese citizen.
The attack was designed not only to sow fear but also to ignite communal discord among India’s diverse communities. The terrorists’ chilling taunts to grieving families “Ask Modi” asking victims to recite Kalima were a direct challenge to the Indian government’s authority and its vision of a united nation. However, India’s response, embodied in and after Operation Sindoor and its powerful messaging, turned this tragedy into a resounding statement of resilience, unity, and women’s empowerment Nari Shakti.
Launched on May 7, 2025, Operation Sindoor was India’s calculated and precise military response to the Pahalgam massacre. The Indian Armed Forces executed missile strikes on nine terrorist camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, targeting strongholds of groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. The operation, which resulted in the destruction of key terror infrastructure and the elimination of 70 terrorists, was a clear message: India will not tolerate attacks on its soil or its people.
The name Operation Sindoor carried profound cultural and emotional weight. Sindoor, the vermillion mark worn by married Indian women, symbolized the honor and sacrifice of the widows left behind by the Pahalgam attack. As Ms. Prasanna, whose husband Madhusudan Rao was killed in the attack, poignantly stated, “PM Modi took the onus to take revenge. This must bring some relief to families. People think we lost our husbands, but we have lost our lives.” The operation was not just a military strike but a tribute to the resilience of these women and a vow to protect the nation’s unity.
Women Leading the Charge
The first press conference on Operation Sindoor, held on May 7, 2025, was a masterstroke in strategic communication. Flanking Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri were two women officers: Colonel Sofiya Qureshi of the Indian Army’s Signal Corps and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, a decorated helicopter pilot of the Indian Air Force. Their presence was no coincidence, it was a deliberate and symbolic choice that resonated on multiple levels.
Colonel Qureshi, a Muslim officer from Karnataka, and Wing Commander Singh, hailing from Lucknow, represented the diversity and unity of India’s armed forces and its people. Their confident and articulate briefing on the operation’s objectives and execution sent a powerful message to domestic and international audiences. As Foreign Secretary Misri noted during the briefing, the Pahalgam attack was an attempt to “ignite communal strife.” By having a Muslim woman officer lead the narrative, the Modi government underscored its commitment to communal harmony, directly countering the terrorists’ divisive agenda.
The choice of two women officers also embodied Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Nari Shakti (women’s power). The Modi government has consistently championed women’s empowerment, from breaking glass ceilings in the armed forces to promoting women in leadership roles.
Colonel Qureshi, previously praised by the Supreme Court for her achievements, and Wing Commander Singh, who has led high-altitude rescue missions, are living examples of this vision. Their leadership in the briefing was a rebuttal to the terrorists who targeted families and mocked their grief. As one X post aptly captured, “Two women, from two different religions, leading the briefing on Operation Sindoor. Peak feminism.”
Countering Communal Discord
The Pahalgam attack was a calculated attempt to fracture India’s social fabric. Terrorists mingled with crowds, herded tourists to the Baisaran meadow, and executed them in front of their families, aiming to provoke communal tensions.
However, the Modi government’s response was a clarion call for unity. Foreign Secretary Misri’s statement during the briefing went viral: “The Pahalgam attack aimed to ignite communal strife.” By placing Colonel Qureshi at the forefront, the government sent an unambiguous message: India’s strength lies in its diversity, and no terrorist act can break its secular ethos.
This messaging was not just for domestic consumption. Internationally, the inclusion of a Muslim woman officer countered Pakistan’s narrative and bolstered India’s image as a pluralistic democracy. As Misri emphasized, most countries recognized the “barbaric nature” of the Pahalgam attack and the “restrained, measured, and non-escalatory” nature of India’s response. The presence of Qureshi and Singh, coupled with Misri’s call for unity, resonated globally, reinforcing India’s commitment to fighting terrorism without compromising its values.
Nari Shakti
The briefing by Qureshi and Singh was a powerful narrative of Nari Shakti. These officers were not just delivering operational details; they were embodying the courage and resolve of Indian women. Wing Commander Singh outlined the strategic objectives of Operation Sindoor, stating, “The operation was carried out by the Indian Armed Forces to bring justice to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and their families.” Colonel Qureshi added, “No military installation was targeted in Pakistan,” emphasizing the precision of the strikes. Their poise and professionalism earned widespread praise, from Bollywood stars like Katrina Kaif and Kareena Kapoor to former tennis player Sania Mirza, who called it a “powerful message.”
The symbolism of women leading the response was particularly poignant given the terrorists’ targeting of families. The operation’s name and the choice of women officers honored the widows of Pahalgam, whose grief was weaponized by the attackers. As Arathy, daughter of victim N. Ramachandran, expressed, “Operation Sindoor” brought “some relief” to the families, saluting the Modi government and the armed forces for their decisive action.
Broader Message of Resilience
Operation Sindoor and its messaging were about more than military might, they were about India’s resilience and unity in the face of adversity. The Modi government’s decision to have two women officers lead the briefing was a strategic move that paid tribute to the victims, honored the nation’s diversity, and showcased the power of Nari Shakti. It was a reminder that India’s fight against terrorism is not just about retaliation but about protecting the values that define the nation.
As the Confederation of Indian Industry noted, “India’s response to the reprehensible terrorist attack at Pahalgam is a reminder that the country will protect its 140 crore citizens.” With Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh at the forefront, Operation Sindoor became a symbol of India’s unwavering resolve to combat terrorism, uphold communal harmony, and empower its women to lead the charge.
