Tension between India and Pakistan has escalated. It all began with the horrific attack in Pahalgam back on April 22, 2025. Following this, India responded with Operation Sindoor, which took place on May 7, 2025. Following this, tension had increased more. Well, it was Colonel Sofiya Qureshi who grabbed all the attention with her bravery. India wrote a new history by letting female officers lead the media brief following the high-end military mission, Operation Sindoor. Here’s how much salary she gets.
Check Colonel Sofiya Qureshi’s salary, who briefed the international media after Operation Sindoor
Sofiya Qureshi joined the Indian Army back in 1999. She is currently a Colonel and is posted in Jammu. Sofiya hails from Vadodara, Gujarat, and she holds a post-graduation degree in Biochemistry. Sofiya is India’s first woman, who led a 40-member contingent Indian Army in a multinational exercise, which was focused on ‘Humanitarian Mine Action’ and ‘Peacekeeping Operations’. Back in that time, she was only 35 years old, and that multinational exercise that took place was one of the largest ground forces exercises that India conducted back then.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi also served in the United Nations Peacekeeping Operation in Congo in 2006, and her contribution was recognised by the Supreme Court back in 2020, along with 10 other female officers during its judgment about gender parity in the Army’s top positions. Talking about her salary, if a report by Jagran is to be believed, Sofiya’s basic pay for her role in India is between Rs. 1,21,200 to Rs. 2,12,400, excluding allowances.
There are several allowances for the higher officials like Sofiya from the Indian government that include military service pay of Rs. 15,500 every month, and HRA from Rs. 10,500 to Rs. 25,000. Apart from that the allowances also include transport expenses around Rs 3600 to Rs 7200, along with an allowance of Rs 25,000 if someone is into the special force unit. Apart from all of it, all the Army personnel are given Rs 20,000 for uniform allowances yearly.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi is from a strong military background, her great-grandmother worked with Rani Lakshmi Bai
For the unversed, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi was on the verge of completing her PhD degree when she decided to quit her teaching career and opt for the job of serving the nation. She was inspired by her father, who served in the Army as well. Not only this, but also Sofiya’s grandfather was also in the Army. In an interview dated back in 2017, Sofiya revealed that she was an Army kid, and thus, she has always been exposed to the Army environment. She shared that her father and grandfather were in the Army, and the latter used to say that it’s their duty to be alert and serve the nation.
Sofiya’s great-grandmom was a warrior herself as she worked with the Queen of Jhansi, Rani Lakshmi Bai. Sofiya is also married to Colonel Tajuddin Bagewadi, a native of Konnur village. Talking about her Army background, Sofiya said:
“I am a Fauji kid, so I was exposed to the Army environment. My father was in the Army, my grandfather was in the Army, and my great-grandmother was with Rani Laxmi Bai. She was a full warrior. My mother wanted either of us (me or my sister) to be in the Army. My grandfather used to say that it’s our responsibility to remain alert and defend the nation.”
What do you think about Sofiya Qureshi’s contribution to our country?
Also Read: Meet Sofiya Qureshi And Vyomika Singh, Indian Officers Who Led Press Briefing Post Operation Sindoor