New Delhi: After India launched a decisive military operation targeting terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander Vyomika Singh briefed the media on Operation Sindoor alongside Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Wednesday, May 7.
The coordinated air strikes were launched in response to the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives. Representing the Air Force at the high-stakes briefing, Singh presented the mission's details alongside Qureshi, making her one of the few women officers to speak at a defence media briefing of this scale.
Who Is Vyomika Singh?
Vyomika Singh’s journey with the IAF began with a childhood dream. Drawn to the skies from a young age, she joined the NCC and pursued engineering before earning her commission as a helicopter pilot. On December 18, 2019, she was granted a permanent commission in the Air Force’s flying branch, becoming the first in her family to join the military.
Now a decorated pilot, Wing Commander Singh has clocked over 2,500 flying hours and is known for operating Chetak and Cheetah helicopters in some of the most challenging terrains ranging from Jammu and Kashmir to the Northeast. In November 2020, she led a major rescue mission in Arunachal Pradesh, navigating extreme weather and high-altitude zones to carry out critical operations. Her experience and calm leadership in emergencies have earned her wide respect within the armed forces.
Singh’s achievements extend beyond combat and rescue. In 2021, she was part of an all-women tri-services expedition to Mt Manirang, standing at over 21,600 feet, which was commended by the Chief of Air Staff for its endurance and teamwork.
About Operation Sindoor
With India mourning the loss of 26 civilians in the Pahalgam attack, the government authorised a retaliatory strike against key terror camps across the Line of Control.
The IAF led the mission, using precision air-to-ground weapons to neutralise targets linked to cross-border terror networks. At the post-operation press conference, Wing Commander Singh presented the operation’s key objectives.
