The Supreme Court highlighted the achievements of women officers, citing Colonel Sofiya Qureshi as an example. Colonel Qureshi, a member of the Army Signal Corps, made history as the first woman to lead an Indian Army contingent at the "Exercise Force 18," the largest foreign military exercise hosted by India. She had previously served in the United Nations Peacekeeping Operation in Congo in 2006, where she was responsible for monitoring ceasefires and supporting humanitarian efforts in conflict zones.

The court noted that the Centre's affidavit detailed the significant contributions of women SSC officers, working alongside their male counterparts for the nation's defense. The court expressed concern over submissions that sought to downplay women's roles based on biological and social factors, stressing that such views were contrary to constitutional values and ignored the excellence demonstrated by women officers in the Indian Army.

At a media briefing, Colonel Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force joined Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. This event followed the Indian military's "Operation Sindoor," which targeted terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the Pahalgam attack on April 22.

Born in 1974 in Vadodara, Gujarat, Colonel Qureshi holds a Master's degree in biochemistry. She has served in critical roles, including as a military observer in Congo and in flood relief efforts in Northeast India. In 2016, she made history as the first woman officer to lead a contingent in Exercise Force 18, a multinational training exercise aimed at fostering peace among ASEAN nations.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.

The Indian armed forces are fully prepared to counter any potential provocations from Pakistan that could heighten tensions, military officials stated on Wednesday during an official briefing on ‘Operation Sindoor’. This operation involved India's targeted strikes on nine terrorist infrastructure sites located in both Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK), carried out in response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Notably, these were the first Indian military strikes in Pakistan’s Punjab province since 1971.

At the briefing, Indian Army Colonel Sofia Quereshi, alongside IAF Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, announced that Operation Sindoor was initiated in the early hours of May 7. The strikes commenced at 1:05 a.m. and all nine targets were hit within 25 minutes. Colonel Quereshi emphasized that the mission aimed to deliver justice to the victims of the Pahalgam attack, and confirmed that all targeted terrorist camps were successfully destroyed.

Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Defence released a statement confirming that precision strikes were carried out on nine identified terror camps. These included five sites in PoJK — Sawai Nala and Syedna Belal in Muzaffarabad, Gulpur and Abbas in Kotli, and Barnala in Bhimber. The remaining four were located within Pakistan — Sarjal and Mehmoona Joya in Sialkot, Markaz Taiba in Muridke, and Markaz Subhan in Bahawalpur.

Wing Commander Singh stated that although India had shown significant restraint, the armed forces are fully ready to respond if Pakistan engages in any actions that escalate the situation. She highlighted that precision-guided weapons were used to strike specific buildings, ensuring there was no collateral damage, and stressed that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri explained that Operation Sindoor was both a defensive and preemptive action. Despite diplomatic efforts initiated on April 23, Pakistan failed to act against the terrorist elements responsible for the Pahalgam attack. Intelligence reports indicated that more attacks were being planned, compelling India to take necessary measures to prevent them.

Misri described the strikes as careful, proportionate, and responsible, with the goal of dismantling terrorist infrastructure and preventing future cross-border attacks. He also referenced the April 25 UN Security Council statement, which called for holding the perpetrators and sponsors of the Pahalgam attack accountable, saying India’s actions align with that global stance.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.

The terrorist attack on April 22, 2025, in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 people—mostly tourists—has sharply escalated tensions between India and Pakistan, stoking fears of a potential military conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbors. India quickly blamed Pakistan-based militant groups for the attack, responding with strong measures including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, expelling Pakistani diplomats, and revoking Pakistani nationals’ visas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi granted the Indian military full discretion to choose the timing and method of retaliation, suggesting the possibility of cross-border military strikes.

Pakistan, denying any involvement, reacted by suspending the 1972 Simla Agreement, closing airspace and trade routes to India, and expelling Indian diplomats. Islamabad claimed to have “credible intelligence” about an impending Indian strike within 24–36 hours and vowed to respond “forcefully” if provoked.

In the midst of the mounting crisis, Pakistan’s envoy to the U.S., Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, made an urgent appeal to President Donald Trump to intervene diplomatically. He described Kashmir as the most dangerous nuclear flashpoint in the world and pushed for a long-term U.S.-led initiative to resolve the issue. Former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also called for global intervention to prevent further escalation.

Skirmishes erupted along the Line of Control (LoC) on April 24, with both sides accusing each other of unprovoked attacks and drone violations. India responded by demolishing homes of suspected militants in Pulwama and Kulgam, while Pakistan deployed heavy artillery, including M110 guns, in the Leepa Valley. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warned that India would go after not just the attackers but their supporters, indicating the possibility of strikes inside Pakistani territory. In turn, Pakistan labeled India’s suspension of water-sharing treaties an “act of war,” intensifying its rhetoric.

The U.S. and U.N. stepped up diplomatic efforts to ease tensions. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held separate discussions with leaders from both countries, urging de-escalation. U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth supported India’s right to defend itself but cautioned against excessive retaliation. However, with much of the global focus on other crises, external pressure on India remained limited. China, while backing Pakistan diplomatically, also called for calm from both nations, attempting to maintain a delicate balance.

The breakdown of long-standing agreements such as the Indus Waters Treaty and Simla Agreement has deepened instability in the region. Experts warn that any dramatic Indian retaliation could set off a dangerous tit-for-tat chain reaction, though some believe the situation may stay within the bounds of previous “managed hostilities.” The involvement of nuclear-armed countries and Pakistan’s push to internationalise the Kashmir issue highlight the gravity of the crisis, with miscalculation posing serious threats to regional peace. As military tensions rise and diplomacy falters under the strain of mutual blame, the global community faces growing urgency to seek long-term solutions instead of short-term ceasefires, to prevent further cycles of violence.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Indian defence news.

Dassault Aviation has formally welcomed the Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) signed between India and France for the acquisition of 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets by the Indian Navy. The deal marks a key development in the 70-year defence partnership between the two countries. Eric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation, expressed gratitude to Indian authorities for their confidence in the company, reaffirming Dassault’s commitment to bolstering India's sovereignty, strategic readiness, and long-term defence ambitions.

Tracing Dassault’s history in India back to the induction of the Toofany aircraft nearly 70 years ago, Trappier reiterated the firm’s active participation in India’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Skill India’ missions. Signed in New Delhi by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu, the agreement includes 22 single-seat and 4 twin-seat Rafale Marine jets. The comprehensive package also covers training, simulators, associated systems, armaments, and a five-year performance-based logistics support plan.

In addition to boosting the Indian Navy, the deal includes equipment upgrades for the Indian Air Force’s existing Rafale fleet. Valued at around $7.4 billion (₹630 billion), the deliveries are scheduled from 2028 to 2030, with pilot training taking place in both nations. A central element of the agreement is technology transfer, facilitating the integration of indigenous weapon systems onto the Rafale Marine in India. It also includes plans for local production of fuselage components and the setup of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities for aircraft engines, sensors, and weapons.

This initiative is expected to create thousands of jobs and drive significant economic benefits for India’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), supporting the government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) agenda. Once inducted, the Indian Navy will be the first foreign user of the Rafale Marine, leveraging operational insights from the French Navy. These new jets will complement the 36 Rafales already in service with the Indian Air Force, greatly enhancing India’s maritime strike capabilities and reinforcing national security. The induction of Rafale Marine aircraft is also seen as a timely strategic move amid growing Chinese naval activity in the Indian Ocean region. Beyond bolstering India’s defence posture, the deal further cements the India-France strategic alliance, highlighting mutual confidence and a shared commitment to regional and global security.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from indian defence review.