Belagavi, May 8 (UNI) Colonel Sofiya Qureshi’s involvement in the ongoing Operation Sindoor has brought pride and honour not just to the armed forces, but also to her family and Belagavi. Her father-in-law, Ghousesaab Babusab Bagewadi, says her service represents the growing strength and leadership of Indian women in uniform.

"She is our daughter, serving in the Army and doing exceptional work," Bagewadi told reporters. "We always encourage her to continue her good service, she’s making us proud. I aspire to lead a life as honourable as hers."

Colonel Sofiya had visited the family six months ago and was expected to return for Bakrid. Bagewadi said he only learned of her role in Operation Sindoor on Wednesday evening. "I wasn’t home at the time, my friend told me when I returned. I was overwhelmed with happiness. I couldn’t sleep all night, and media persons kept coming for interviews."

While he couldn’t speak to her directly due to her ongoing briefings, Bagewadi said he spoke to his son, who assured him that Colonel Sofiya was safe and in good health.

"The community is showing us great respect. People are coming to congratulate us, offer prayers, and even presented me with a bouquet, saying our family has brought honour to the community.”

Operation Sindoor involved a swift and high-risk counter-insurgency manoeuvre in sensitive zones in PoK and Pakistan.

Speaking with conviction and emotion, Bagewadi added: "Caste and religion are senseless divisions. What Pakistan does is meaningless, death doesn’t evade Pakistanis by the grace of Allah. They strike from behind, but we Indian Muslims fight from the front. That is why Allah grants us honour and dignity."

"If our daughters can show such strength, imagine the strength our sons possess," he said. "But our duty must always be to save lives. If I see a child drowning in a river, I won’t stand by—I will jump in to save him. Our true identity is that we are Hindustanis. If we live by that, Allah will never let us go hungry."

In a symbol of communal harmony, Bagewadi revealed that the family has also been invited to attend temple jatras (festival). "That’s the India we believe in, mutual respect, unity, and service," he said. UNI BDN SSP