Konnur village celebrates daughter-in-law’s rise to public spotlight
BELAGAVI
While people of Belagavi celebrated the attack by Indian Defence Forces on terrorist bases in Pakistan, they are proud for one more reason.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a senior officer in the Indian Army, drew international attention on Wednesday after briefing the press about ‘Operation Sindoor’, the Army’s counter-offensive following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. Her leadership is not only being celebrated nationally, but also back home in Konnur village of Gokak taluk, Belagavi district, where she is revered as a daughter-in-law of Belagavi.
Colonel Sofiya, who hails from Vadodara, Gujarat, married Colonel Tajuddin Bagewadi of Konnur in 2015. Both now serve in the Indian Army with distinction.
After her press appearances, her in-laws in Konnur have been flooded with calls and heartfelt messages.
Speaking to media persons on Thursday, her father-in-law Gous Sab Bagewadi said, “Watching my daughter-in-law speak on national TV was one of the proudest moments of my life. My phone hasn’t stopped ringing.”
Despite her packed military schedule, Colonel Sofiya visits Konnur once a year, while her husband visits biannually. She had planned a Ramzan visit last month, which had to be cancelled due to duty. Currently, she is posted in Jammu, and Colonel Tajuddin is stationed in Jhansi.
Coming from a legacy of service, Colonel Sofiya’s father, Taj Mohammad Qureshi, served in the Bangladesh Liberation War, and her grandfather was also in the Army. She began her military journey in 1999, during the Kargil War, and has since broken many barriers.
She became the first Indian woman officer to lead a military contingent at the ASEAN Plus ‘Force 18’ exercise in 2016, representing India among 18 nations.
Her contributions extend beyond combat—she served in the UN Peacekeeping Operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo from 2006 for six years and was widely recognised for her flood relief work in Northeast India.
Colonel Sofiya, born in 1974, holds a master’s degree in Biochemistry from Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara. Her story is one of bravery, service, and pride—especially for Belagavi.
