Media Warfront: DG ISPR vs. India’s Women Warriors: Who Stole the Spotlight?
On May 7, following India’s alleged “Operation Sandur” inside Pakistan, a significant press conference was held in India featuring two female officers of the Indian Armed Forces. This event marked not just the beginning of military actions but also the start of a new phase in Information Warfare between the two countries.
Over the past five days, both India and Pakistan have held daily military briefings and press conferences, where senior military officials and spokespersons presented their narratives to the media. These sessions attracted considerable attention across traditional and social media, with certain officers emerging as prominent public figures.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry – DG ISPR (Pakistan)
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry currently serves as the Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) of the Pakistan Army. He was appointed the 22nd DG ISPR in December 2022 and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General in May 2023.
During the latest Indo-Pak tensions, he emerged as a key face in both national and international media. Under his leadership, joint press briefings were conducted with top officials from the Foreign Office, Air Force, and Navy, where he clearly articulated Pakistan’s operational stance and security concerns.
Gen. Chaudhry belongs to the Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (EME), a technically focused division of the army. Few officers from EME reach the rank of Lieutenant General, highlighting their exceptional professional capabilities.
Serving as the head of DESTO (Defense Science & Technology Organization), a premier institution for scientific and military research in Pakistan.Holding a key position in the Military Operations Directorate, contributing directly to operational strategy and policy execution.
According to veteran journalist Baqir Sajjad Syed, Gen. Chaudhry has deep experience in military operations, scientific research, and international relations, making him a well-rounded and seasoned military professional. As DG ISPR, his communication style is balanced, informative, and reflects strategic defense thinking—making him an effective spokesperson for national security.
Sophia Qureshi – Trailblazing Indian Army Officer
Colonel Sophia Qureshi is a seasoned and courageous officer from the Indian Army’s Signals Corps, hailing from the state of Gujarat. She first gained international recognition in 2016 when she led the Indian contingent at the multinational military exercise Force 18 held in Pune.
The exercise involved ASEAN Plus countries and was touted as the largest ground forces exercise ever hosted in India. By commanding the 40-member Indian team, Col. Qureshi earned the distinction of being the first woman to lead an Indian training contingent at an international military drill.
The Indian Ministry of Defense shared her achievements on social media, leading to widespread admiration both in military circles and among the public.
Col. Qureshi comes from a military family—her grandfather also served in the Indian Army. She holds a postgraduate degree in biochemistry, reflecting her scientific and analytical mindset.
She also served with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force, where she was deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2006. Her responsibilities included training, preparation, and coordination of peace missions.
Today, she stands as a symbol of female leadership in the Indian military, having proven her skills and competence at both national and global levels.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh
One of the most notable figures in the initial Indian briefing on Operation Sandur was Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force, an experienced helicopter pilot.
Her name, “Vyomika,” literally means connected to the skies, and her career reflects this essence. Trained through the National Cadet Corps (NCC), she joined the flying branch of the Indian Air Force in 2019 after completing her engineering education.
With over 2,500 flying hours, she has flown missions in some of the most challenging terrains, including Jammu & Kashmir and northeastern India. She has played a key role not only in combat operations but also in life-saving rescue missions.
A particularly commendable mission was her November 2020 rescue operation in Arunachal Pradesh, where she navigated harsh weather and mountainous terrain to save lives.
Wing Commander Singh today symbolizes courage, determination, and service for India’s youth—especially aspiring women in the defense forces.
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