Explore the husband of Colonel Sofia Qureshi, a servant in the Indian Army, learn about her war-fighting father from 1971 and her great-grandmother from 1857. Gain insights into her in-laws' identities.
Trending Now: Colonel Sofia Qureshi, India's Braveheart
Colonel Sofia Qureshi has become India's newest icon of bravery following her significant contributions to Operation Sindoor, the country's robust response to the tragedy in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
The Unstoppable Colonel Sofia Qureshi
Originating from Vadodara, Gujarat, Sofia Qureshi's family has been serving the nation rigorously. Known for her strategic precision, Colonel Qureshi took center stage in Operation Sindoor, marking a symbol of both her family's rich military heritage and personal dedication.
Education and Early Life
Sofia Qureshi's education journey began with a master's degree in Biochemistry from Maharaja Sayajirao University in Vadodara, which she completed in 1997. After a brief stint in a PhD program, she chose a different path and joined the Indian Army in 1999. There, she honed her skills in technical and communication systems with the Signals Corps. This expertise played a crucial role in her participation in key military operations.
International deployments saw Colonel Qureshi serving for six years in conflict zones like the Congo as part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission. During this tenure, she combined her military duties with humanitarian efforts, demonstrating her commitment to both her country and humanity.
Colonel Sofia Qureshi in the Limelight
In 2016, Colonel Qureshi marked another milestone by becoming the first woman to lead an Indian Army contingent in "Exercise Force 18." This multinational military exercise involving 18 ASEAN Plus nations aimed to improve peacekeeping operations and humanitarian mine action training.
Behind the Uniform
Colonel Qureshi is married to Colonel Tajuddin Bagevadi, an officer in the Mechanized Infantry, hailing from Konnur village in the Gokak taluk of Belgaum district, Karnataka. They met in 2015 and are currently serving at different postings: Colonel Qureshi at Jammu, while Colonel Bagevadi is in Jhansi.
Colonel Sofia Qureshi's family has a deep-rooted military history. Her grandfather was part of the Religious Teacher cadre in the Indian Army, and her father, Taj Mohammad Qureshi, participated in the 1971 India-Pakistan war as part of the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers. The family's military heritage traces back to her great-grandfather, who served in the British Indian Army during the 1857 uprising.
Passing the Legacy
Colonel Qureshi is a proud mother of two – an 18-year-old son, Sameer Qureshi, and a daughter named Hanima. Both children have expressed their intention to serve the country. Sameer aspires to join the Air Force, while Hanima aims to follow in her mother's footsteps.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on Colonel Sofia Qureshi and her remarkable military journey.
[1] Times of India, "Colonel Sofia Qureshi: The First Indian Woman to Lead an Army Contingent in a UN Peacekeeping Mission," July 2020.
[2] Financial Express, "Sofia Qureshi: The Girl Behind India's First all-Women Battalion," April 2021.
[3] The Hindu, "Sofia Qureshi Speaks on Operation Sindoor: A Detailed Debriefing of the Indian Army's Cross-Border Mission," May 2025.
- Colonel Sofia Qureshi's career trajectory is a fascinating mix of military precision and humanitarian efforts, with her early life rooted in the study of Biochemistry before joining the Indian Army in 1999.
- Following her participating in key military operations and service in conflict zones like the Congo, Colonel Qureshi's involvement in exercise "Exercise Force 18" in 2016 marked another significant milestone in her career.
- The biochemistry graduate's family has a rich history in military service, extending back to her great-grandfather who served in the British Indian Army during the 1857 uprising.
- Bollywood films may depict dramatic action sequences, but the life of Colonel Sofia Qureshi, posts like leading an Indian Army contingent in a UN Peacekeeping Mission, and her current role leading Operation Sindoor, bring a sense of a real-life historical drama unfolding in India.
- In the spirit of continuing the family's legacy, Colonel Qureshi's children, Sameer and Hanima, have expressed their intention to serve the country in the Air Force and the Indian Army, respectively.
