Kathua Railway Station Renamed to Honor Martyr Captain Sunil Kumar Choudhary

Kathua, Jammu & Kashmir: A tribute has been paid to one of India's valiant soldiers with the renaming of Kathua Railway Station to "Martyr Captain Sunil Kumar Choudhary Kathua Railway Station." This honor recognizes Captain Sunil Kumar Choudhary, a Kirti Chakra awardee, who lost his life leading a counter-insurgency operation against ULFA militants in Assam in 2008. The renaming fulfills a long-awaited request by local residents and the martyr's family to celebrate the Army officer's remarkable bravery and service to the nation.

The name change was sanctioned by Government Order No. 129-JK(GAD) of 2026, issued by the General Administration Department of Jammu & Kashmir on 29 January 2026. The order instructed Northern Railway, along with the Survey of India, the National Geospatial Data Centre, and other relevant agencies, to update official documents, maps, and station signage. The decision has been executed, with the new station name now visible throughout railway systems and official records.

Captain Sunil Kumar Choudhary, a native of Kathua district, was commissioned into the 7/11 Gorkha Rifles in December 2004. His service in Assam was marked by his leadership in numerous counter-insurgency operations against ULFA militants. On 27 January 2008, during a mission in Rangagarh village of Tinsukia district, he sustained a critical chest wound. Despite his serious injuries, he continued the fight, personally eliminating two militants before succumbing to his injuries. In recognition of his valor and leadership, he was posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra, the second-highest peacetime gallantry award in India.

This honor holds particular significance for the people of Kathua, who have long called for a lasting public memorial to preserve Captain Choudhary's legacy. His father, Colonel (Retd.) P. L. Choudhary, expressed that the renaming is a proud and emotional occasion for the family, asserting that such honors ensure future generations remember the sacrifices of India's armed forces.

With this change, every train that arrives at or departs from Kathua will bear the name of a young Army officer whose bravery continues to inspire both soldiers and civilians. The renaming of this significant railway station in Jammu & Kashmir serves as a perpetual memorial, reminding millions of passengers each year of Captain Sunil Kumar Choudhary's unwavering dedication to duty and his ultimate sacrifice for the nation.