Wing Commander Vyomika Singh: The Sky Warrior Who Led Operation Sindoor’s Media Briefing with Grit and Grace
From a young girl inspired by the skies to one of India’s top helicopter pilots, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh’s journey is a story of ambition, courage, and national pride. On May 1, 2025, she made history again—this time, by jointly leading the high-level media briefing on Operation Sindoor alongside Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi.
A Nation Watches as Vyomika Singh Briefs the Media on India’s Retaliatory Strike
NEW DELHI — In a powerful and symbolic moment, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force stood beside her Army and diplomatic counterparts to brief the country and the world about Operation Sindoor—India’s decisive counter-strike against nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The operation was carried out following the barbaric massacre of 26 civilians in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, on April 22, 2025. Addressing the press, Wing Commander Singh affirmed the precision and success of the mission, declaring, “Nine terrorist camps were targeted and successfully destroyed. All locations were carefully chosen to prevent civilian casualties.”
Meet Wing Commander Vyomika Singh: The Girl Who Dreamed of the Sky
Vyomika Singh’s story started long before this historic day. From as early as sixth grade, she dreamed of flying. Interestingly, her name “Vyomika” means “the one who resides in the sky”—a fitting title for the trailblazing officer she would become.
Breaking new ground in her family, Vyomika became the first to join the Indian armed forces. An engineering graduate, she was commissioned into the Indian Air Force as a helicopter pilot, setting in motion a career that would inspire generations.
2,500+ Hours in the Sky: A Career Built on Courage and Commitment
Wing Commander Singh isn’t just a ceremonial figure. She’s a seasoned aviator with over 2,500 hours of flying experience under some of the harshest conditions in the country—from the snow-laden peaks of Jammu & Kashmir to the rugged terrains of the Northeast.
In November 2020, she led a daring rescue mission in Arunachal Pradesh, navigating through dense fog and high-altitude zones—an operation that received praise from senior defense leaders.
In 2021, she was part of the tri-services all-women expedition to Mount Manirang, a Himalayan peak over 21,000 feet high. The physically and mentally demanding trek was a testament to her endurance, leadership, and the growing role of women in the armed forces.
Operation Sindoor: The Strike that Sent a Message
Operation Sindoor was more than just military retaliation—it was a message to enemies of peace. Early morning on May 1, Indian Armed Forces conducted precision airstrikes on terror camps that had long operated with impunity across the border.
Wing Commander Singh detailed the operation’s objectives and careful planning to avoid civilian harm. The targets included some of the most notorious terror training grounds, such as:
- Muridke, where 26/11 attackers David Headley and Ajmal Kasab were trained
- Sarjal camp in Sialkot
- Markaz Ahle Hadith, Barnala
- Markaz Abbas in Kotli
- Mehmoona Joya camp in Sialkot
Her calm and confident presentation of the facts added weight to India’s resolve.
Why This Moment Matters: Women in Uniform Leading from the Front
The presence of Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi at the official press briefing was more than a matter of representation—it was a historic reflection of India's evolving armed forces.
Colonel Qureshi, known for leading India’s military contingent at a multinational drill in 2016, and Singh, an operational pilot with combat and rescue experience, symbolized the strength and leadership of women in uniform.
“It Was a Calibrated and Proportionate Response” – Foreign Secretary Misri
Speaking alongside Singh and Qureshi, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri underlined the rationale behind the operation. “The Pahalgam attack was not random. Victims were executed in front of their families, in an attempt to destabilize normalcy in Jammu & Kashmir,” he said.
He added that Indian intelligence had credible inputs of further attacks being plotted. “India had both the right and the compulsion to act. This was a strategic, restrained, and proportionate response,” Misri concluded.
The Legacy of Wing Commander Vyomika Singh
What Wing Commander Singh represents is more than just heroism in uniform. She embodies the aspirations of a new India—an India where women lead missions, brief the media, and inspire the next generation.
Her contribution to Operation Sindoor and her poise in delivering critical information to the nation will be remembered not only for its content but for its symbolism.
In her own quiet yet powerful way, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh soared—again.
