Col Qureshi's family joins PM's Vadodara roadshow

The family of Colonel Sofia Qureshi, who led the Indian Army’s press briefings on Operation Sindoor, joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s roadshow in Vadodara on Sunday, turning the event into a moment of national pride and personal celebration.

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Colonel Qureshi, a trailblazer in the Indian Army Corps since 1999, made history in 2016 as the first Indian woman officer to lead a multi-national military exercise. Her leadership during the recent counter-terror operation, launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives, has been widely applauded.

Qureshi’s sister Shyana Sunesara and other family members stood among supporters waving flags and holding placards to laud the armed forces. “We are here to celebrate Operation Sindoor. The outreach about the operation was led by two women, including my sister. The operation was executed successfully without any casualties. There was no fear in the country. Seeing PM Modi today was a different as well as an emotional moment,” said Sunesara.

Colonel Qureshi’s brother, Sanjay Qureshi, echoed the sentiment, saying: “The crowd today was just fabulous. We’re proud of what the military has accomplished, and it’s heartening to see the public celebrating with us. The Prime Minister congratulated us, and we welcomed him with full enthusiasm.”

Posters praising the Indian military’s swift and precise execution of the operation were visible along the route. The roadshow also drew participation from the city’s international community. A group of African students was seen joining the celebration, reflecting the diverse support behind India’s stand against terrorism.