PIB Busts Fake X Accounts of Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofia Qureshi

The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has issued a clear warning about fake social media accounts impersonating two prominent Indian Armed Forces officers—Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. These impersonator profiles, some even sporting a misleading blue tick, have gained thousands of followers, exploiting public interest around Operation Sindoor .

Both officers recently came into the spotlight for their roles in press briefings related to Operation Sindoor, India’s swift military-humanitarian mission launched on May 7. Their visibility and leadership earned them national recognition, but also made them targets for online mischief.

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a decorated officer from the Indian Army’s Corps of Signals, holds the historic distinction of being the first woman to lead an Indian Army training contingent at the multinational Force 18 exercise. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh , a trailblazing helicopter pilot and first-generation military officer, co-led media briefings during the operation, commanding widespread admiration.

"Stay vigilant. Rely only on official sources for authentic information," the PIB said in a post on X.

Despite the accounts appearing authentic, PIB clarified: "These are fake. There is NO official X (formerly Twitter) handle of Wg Cdr. Vyomika Singh or Col. Sofiya Qureshi." One of the fake accounts had amassed over 68,000 followers, while another had more than 28,000, underlining how quickly misinformation can spread when linked to public figures.