New Delhi: Colonel Sofia Qureshi of the Indian Army described Operation Sindoor as the dawn of a new era in India’s military strategy, calling it a living testament to multi-domain precision warfare. Speaking at the Chanakya Defence Dialogue: Young Leaders Forum held at the Manekshaw Centre, Colonel Qureshi reminded the audience that on May 7, under Operation Sindoor, India successfully destroyed nine terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This decisive counter-operation was launched in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
She emphasized that the mission exemplified the seamless coordination between the Army, Air Force, and Navy, showcasing India’s technological superiority and growing self-reliance in defense.
Colonel Qureshi also cautioned that Pakistan had extended its aggression beyond the battlefield by waging an information warfare. She urged the youth to enhance digital literacy and remain vigilant against fake news and misinformation. “You are trained not only in firepower but also in firewalls,” she said, adding, “Wars today are not fought merely with bullets, but with bytes and bandwidth.”
Highlighting India’s demographic strength, she noted that 65 percent of the nation’s population is under the age of 35 — a force that represents India’s greatest strategic asset. The Indian Army, she added, is actively training young minds in artificial intelligence and cyber technology, working in collaboration with institutions such as IITs, DRDO, and other research organizations.
Whether in defense, education, design, or technology, she asserted, success comes from “effort, innovation, and determination.” Colonel Qureshi’s inspiring words shed new light on the evolving nature of modern warfare and underscored the crucial role of youth in shaping the nation’s defense future.
Operation Sindoor, she concluded, not only demonstrated India’s firm resolve against terrorism but also showcased to the world its readiness for the digital age of warfare. The message is clear — the future of India lies in the hands of its youth.
Reaffirming her earlier point, Colonel Qureshi reminded that on May 7, India annihilated nine terrorist bases in Pakistan and PoK under Operation Sindoor — a direct and calculated response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack. The operation, she said, stands as a remarkable example of inter-service coordination, technological preparedness, and self-reliant military capability.
“You are trained not only in firepower but also in firewalls,” she reiterated. “Today, wars are fought not just with bullets, but with bytes and bandwidth.”
