Vidushi Gaur/ New Delhi

Captain Sayria Abbasi captured the imagination of young Indians when a photo of her, standing confidently behind an air defence gun near the China border in Arunachal Pradesh went viral on social media.

Capt Sariya Abbasi, a troop commander with an Army Air Defence Regiment deployed near the contested LAC was in the first AD (air defence) regiments in the country to be equipped with upgraded L70 guns.

Dressed in olive green, eyes focused, she stood not just as a soldier, but as a symbol of changing times.

Captain Sariya Abbasi in front of air defense gun on China border

It was October 2021. India’s relations with China were tense. Amid this high-stakes backdrop, Captain Abbasi was seen briefing journalists—a poised officer in uniform, calmly handling questions under the gaze of cameras.

That image told a powerful story: of women taking command roles, leading from the front, and rewriting the narrative in India's armed forces.

Her role at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) included leading a specialized anti-drone team—highlighting her tactical acumen in countering emerging aerial threats. Today, she continues her deployment on the frontlines, operating the L-70 anti-aircraft gun in the sensitive Arunachal sector.

Captain Sariya Abbasi with her parents on passing out at OTS Chennai

Sayria hails from Ram Janki Nagar Mohalla in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. Her father, Dr. Tehseen Abbasi, a seasoned broadcaster with All India Radio, and her mother, Rehana Shamim, a dedicated junior high school teacher, raised her in a home steeped in values, education, and quiet ambition.

"She always loved the uniform," says her father Dr. Tehseen Abbasi. “The pride, the purpose called to her from a young age.”

Military stories from family members in uniform and the presence of soldiers in her town left a lasting impression.

Despite her deep-rooted fascination with the Army, Sayria followed a conventional academic route, completing her schooling at GN National Academy and earning a B.Tech in Genetic Engineering from IMS Ghaziabad.

After graduation, corporate offers poured in, including from multinational companies. Sayria left them all.

Captain Sariya Abbasi in front of air defense gun on China border

“I couldn't see myself behind a desk,” she said in an interview. “My heart was always in service to the nation.”

Determined to follow her passion, she prepared for the rigorous Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination conducted by UPSC.

With only 12 seats for women in the Military Academy, the odds were daunting. After a failed first attempt, she persevered and cracked it the second time. The Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, known for its gruelling assessments, was another mountain climb.

On September 9, 2017, Sayria marched in the Passing Out Parade at the Officers’ Training Academy (OTA), Chennai. Her family, teary-eyed and proud, watched her take the oath to serve and protect India.

Captain Abbasi’s story has become a source of inspiration for thousands of young women. Her younger brother, Tamsil Ahmad Abbasi, often speaks of the pride she brings to the family.

“There are challenges,” she acknowledges. “But the Army is a golden career for those who dare.”

In interviews, she emphasizes the role of family support in her journey. “My mother wasn’t just a parent; she was my first teacher. And my father’s faith in my dreams gave me wings.”

Captain Abbasi represents more than personal success—she embodies the transformation of the Indian Army itself, which is increasingly opening its doors to women in combat support, aviation, and leadership roles.

As her story circulates in the media and across social platforms, Sayria Abbasi stands tall—not only as a defender of India’s borders but also as a symbol of courage, hope, and equality. She reminds us that bravery knows no gender and that patriotism is not limited by tradition.

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In her, countless young Indians—especially girls from small towns—see a future once thought out of reach.