Women pilots played crucial role in Op Sindoor: Rajnath

VASCO: Lauding the role of women in the Indian armed forces, defence minister Rajnath Singh said that women played a significant role in the crackdown on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir during Operation Sindoor .

"You will be pleased to know that during Operation Sindoor, women in every branch of the Indian armed forces actively and effectively participated," Singh said. "Very few people are aware that during Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force carried out effective action against terrorism in Pakistan and PoK, in which women pilots and other women soldiers played a significant role."

Women's participation in the nation's armed forces has not only increased, but they have also excelled in every role and responsibility, Singh said. He was speaking at an event in Vasco on Thursday.

Singh said that women officers are currently serving "from the heights of Siachen to the depths of the ocean", which has bolstered the security apparatus of the country. "Today, the doors of Sainik Schools are open for girls, and 17 women are passing out from the National Defence Academy this month," Singh said.

The defence minister was speaking at the flag-in ceremony of INSV Tarini and her crew - Lt Cdr Dilna K and Lt Cdr Roopa A - upon their return from the epic sailing expedition spanning over 239 days. He termed their voyage the epitome of ' Nari Shakti .'

Earlier in the day, Singh said that India showed restraint during Operation Sindoor. Two senior women officers, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi of the Indian Army and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force, emerged as the face of Operation Sindoor after they were handpicked by the armed forces to provide daily briefs.